John S. Gray Branch III - Detroit Public Library - Detroit, MI

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On Friday, Abandoned Chairs on Instagram (@abandoned_chairs) featured my photo of a chair from the John S. Gray Branch - Detroit Public Library in Detroit on their page. I was so thrilled to see it featured. Thank you so much Abandoned Chairs!

Books read in 2015

The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen  
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan   
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock  
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin  
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade   
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden 
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes 
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan  
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles  
Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller, Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley
Street God, Dimas Salaberrios 
Wild at Heart, John Eldridge 
Captivating, John & Stasi Eldredge 
Taming the To-Do List, Glynnis Whitwer
The Mended Heart, Suzanne Eller 
Simply Tuesday, Emily P. Freeman

Currently Reading: Girl Meets Change, Kristen Strong

John S. Gray Branch II - Detroit Public Library - Detroit, Mi

Michigan football

The Michigan Wolverines football team dropped in the rankings Sunday following the 27-23 loss to #7 Michigan State Saturday. Michigan (5-2) was #12 in the country last week, this week the Wolverines drop three positions to #15.

Michigan has a bye this weekend and will play again on Saturday, October 31 at Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET.

NCAA Cross Country Pre-Nationals

mgoblue.com

The University of Michigan, fifth ranked, women's cross country team won the NCAA Pre-Nationals Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky at the E.P. Tom Sawyer Park. This course is the site of the 2015 Cross Country NCAA Championships on November 21.

Michigan placed four runners in the top 40 and won with a total of 131 points. Colorado was second with 151 points and Oregon was third with 175 points.

Michigan's Erin Finn led early in the 6000 meter race, but ended up finishing in sixth place with a time of 20:09.1. Winning the race was Colorado's Erin Clark in 20:00.5. Michigan's other top finishers were Shannon Osika (13th - 20:16.5), Gina Serno (35th - 20:37.4), Jaimie Phelan (38th - 20:40.1) and Anna Pasternak (52nd - 20:46.4).

Michigan runs again Friday at the EMU Classic at the Mills Metropark in Dexter, Michigan.

Game 5

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The Minnesota Lynx defeated Indiana Fever Wednesday 69-52 in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals to win the WNBA Championship. With the win, the Lynx won their third WNBA title in five years. The first two championships were celebrated on the road. This was the first time the team was able to celebrate at home with their fans at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Sylvia Fowles, the Finals MVP, scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Seimone Augustus chipped in with 16 points.

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The Lynx celebrated with a parade and party today. The parade will end at the Target Center where a celebration took place.

John S. Gray Branch I - Detroit Public Library - Detroit, MI

Game 4

todaysfastbreak.com

The Indiana Fever women's basketball team defeated Minnesota Lynx 75-69 Sunday to force the series to a Game 5 in the WNBA Finals.

The Fever were behind in the series to Minnesota 2-1 Sunday. If the Lynx won, the series would have ended. The Fever were able to hold off the Lynx in Game 4 to tie the series at two games a piece. With the series tied, the winner of tonight's game will be in the WNBA champions.

Shenise Johnson scored 15 points and Marissa Coleman had 14 points to lead the way for the Fever. Minnesota's Maya Moore led all scorers with 20 points. 

Game 5 will be played tonight in Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.

Books read in 2015

The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen  
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan   
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock  
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin  
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade   
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden 
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes 
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan  
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles  
Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller, Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley
Street God, Dimas Salaberrios 
Wild at Heart, John Eldridge 
Captivating, John & Stasi Eldredge 
Taming the To-Do List, Glynnis Whitwer
The Mended Heart, Suzanne Eller

Currently Reading: Simply Tuesday, Emily P. Freeman

Michigan football

Michigan Wolverines, #18 AP Poll,  football team defeated Northwestern , #13 AP Poll, Saturday, 38-0. It was the third consecutive shutout since 1980. The Wolverines scored one touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time since 2003. Michigan racked up 380 total yards, 201 rushing and 179 passing, and held Northwestern to 168 total yards. On Sunday, Michigan moved up in the AP Poll to #12.

Michigan hosts Michigan State next week at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Game 3

Game 3 of the WNBA finals takes place tonight in Indianapolis at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN 2. The series between Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx is tied at one game a piece.

I am a fan of both teams, but I would like to see Minnesota win the game and the series.

Michigan Football

umichathetics/Instagram

The Michigan Wolverines football team climbed four spots in the AP Top 25 Poll to #18. They were previously #22. Michigan moved up in the poll after defeating Maryland Saturday 28-0. That was Michigan's second straight shut out win. The last time Michigan had back-to-back shutouts was October 2000. With the win, the Wolverines record is now 4-1.

Michigan hosts Northwestern next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Books read in 2015

The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen  
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan   
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock  
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin  
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade   
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden 
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes 
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan  
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles  
Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller, Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley
Street God, Dimas Salaberrios 
Wild at Heart, John Eldridge 
Captivating, John & Stasi Eldredge 
Taming the To-Do List, Glynnis Whitwer

Currently Reading: The Mended Heart, Suzanne Eller

WNBA Finals

USA Today Sports/Brad Rempel

The WNBA Finals Game 1 took place Sunday in Minneapolis, Minnesota between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx. How the teams reached the finals: Indiana Fever defeated the New York Liberty 66-51 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals last Tuesday. The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Phoenix Mercury 72-71 Sunday, September 27 to sweep the in the Western Conference Finals series.

The Fever defeated the Lynx 75-69 in a very close Game 1. Briann January was the leading scorer for the Fever with 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Marissa Coleman added another 16 points for Indiana as well. The Lynx's Maya Moore led all scorers with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

Game 2 of the WNBA Finals will be played Tuesday in Minneapolis at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.

Books read in 2015

The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen  
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan   
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock  
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin  
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade   
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden 
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes 
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan  
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller, Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley

Currently Reading: Street God, Dimas Salaberrios

Other Desert Cities

I went to a local college, Siena Heights University, last Thursday to see Other Desert Cities.

From Siena's website the synopsis of Other Desert Cities is "Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas.  Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history — a wound they don't want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it".

 The play was held in Siena's Stubnitz Lab Theater. It is much smaller and more intimite then their Performing Arts Center. I arrived close to curtain time and sat in the front row to the left of the stage. It was neat to be very close to the actors and stage. Usually when I go to plays, I sit in the middle or back of the theater. Sitting right next to the stage gave me a different perspective of the play. 

Other Deserts Cities is a play by Jon Robin Baitz. The play was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play at Siena Heights University was directed by Mark DiPietro.

WNBA Conference Finals - Game 2

Game 2 of the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference finals took place Sunday. The Indiana Fever hosted the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx traveled to Phoenix Mercury.

The Indiana Fever came back from being down 15 points to win Game 2 70-64 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Liberty. The Fever win forced a Game 3 which will take place Tuesday in New York at Madison Square Garden. Leading the way for the Fever was Tamika Catchings with 25 points and for the Liberty, Tina Charles also had 25 points.

Game 3 will be played Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The Minnesota Lynx won Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals 72-71 to sweep the series with the Phoenix Mercury. Lynx player Maya Moore lead all scorers with 40 points. Moore was fouled with 1.5 seconds left in the game. Moore hit 1-of-2 free throws to clinch the win for the Lynx.

The Lynx will await the winner of Tuesday's Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty contest to find out who they will meet in the WNBA finals.

Eastern Conference Finals

New York Liberty defeated Washington Mystics Tuesday night 79-74 to advance to the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals. The Liberty will host Indiana Fever tonight in New York City at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.

I'm a Liberty fan and would love to see Coach Bill Laimbeer take them to the WNBA finals. Laimbeer won three WNBA titles coaching the Detroit Shock in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

Oiselle meetup

I met up with a group of Oiselle Team Michigan members Sunday. We met for brunch at Sava's in Ann Arbor. A few of us already knew one another, so introductions were made. The conversation that dominated the brunch was running and when we were all going to meet up again. It sounds like a bunch of us are going to run some races together soon.

It was nice to meet a few of ladies from the team and we had a good time. Looking forward to the next meetup.

In the first photo, I have my hands on Andrea's shoulders for balance. I was standing on my toes to see over her head. I'm really not that tall. :)