Welcome to Litsy!

During dictator Franco‘s reign in #Spain, life was extraordinarily hard for average citizens but especially those whose parents fought on the “wrong side” during the Spanish Civil War. It‘s the 1950s, and along comes a Texas teen Dan whose dad wants to enter the oil business with Franco. But Dan has a huge heart and empathy and falls for a hotel maid. We learn her family‘s stories through various family members and friends and they are heart-

Heavens, what a great book!! Review to come. #Spain #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

Madrid 1940, what everyone wants to know is if Franco will join the war on Hitler‘s side. Into this British Intelligence sends Harry to spy on his old school friend Sandy. Sandy has discovered gold which Franco is desperate for.

Being in Madrid, has Harry thinking about a trip he and another classmate, Bernie, made in 1931. We also gets Bernie‘s story from 1937.

Naturally, a book about war and its consequences and how people try to survive.

Another exciting Saturday evening

My daughter and I tried Toro, a Spanish (as opposed to Mexican) food restaurant for #foodandlit. It was extraordinary! We had montaditos (queso de cabra frito) which knocked our socks off. Then we shared baguette sandwiches (jamón serrano with manchego cheese and cochinita pibil) and salads, and for dessert, torrijas. Toro was a brilliant find and a new restaurant for our list of places to go like last month‘s Venezuelan restaurant. #Spain

I‘m on a business trip so dining alone at Olive Garden. A chance by myself to read!

As a Texas Longhorn I‘m not sure I can tolerate a book where a character is going to A&M. The Longhorns have what they believe to be a healthy rivalry against Texas A&M, but I‘ve learned recently from parents whose kids go there, A&M actually has a Freshman orientation about how much they have to hate the Longhorns. It‘s really weird and a lot of wasted energy to encourage hate. 😕

#foodandlit #Spain @Catsandbooks

#5joysFriday

1) daughter moved back home from college
2) son‘s rocket ship has been assembled and awaiting finishing touches to take off in White Sands, NM next month
3) son got awards in senior awards ceremony today for grades and for guitar 🎸
4) cuddles from my kitty 🐈‍⬛ during reading time
5) starting a new #foodandlit country: Spain! 🇪🇸

#two4Tuesday Thanks @TheSpineView for the tag!

1) A collection of short stories called A Tortoise for the Queen of Tonga

2) Tagged, because every book I‘ve read by this author is so good

My first book for May‘s country #Spain #foodandlit @Catsandbooks