About me, a description of my blog Macy Makes Magic and links to social media.
Roses Reviews
A list of roses I had in my Ukiah Rose Garden from 2016 to 2021 plus short reviews for interested gardeners.
Who Killed Dylan Thomas? Book Review
Though this book is out of print I was able to find all the significant information online and present a short book review.
Lectures on Literature Vladimir Nabokov
Another one of my idiosyncratic reviews on the book "Lectures on Literature" by Vladimir Nabokov. I break it down to the concerns of the modern reader who may also have attention deficit disorder.
David Bowie and God Book Review
Rather than a scientific study of Bowie's beliefs the book is what a single person feels about David Bowie.
Dear Fatty Book Review
Actress and comedian comedian Dawn French did not read her biography which was written as a letter addressed to Jennifer Saunders.
Failure Journal
What is a Failure Journal and why should you keep one?
A Tribute to Jerry Baker
I discuss discovering Jerry Baker in the 70s and how he influenced me to be a better gardener.
Poinsettias with Paint and Glitter
Poinsettias are often sold decorated with paint glitter and even artificial snow. An experiment to see if any of the clearance poinsettias yet I bought are adversely affected by this treatment.
Michelle Zauner on David Foster Wallace
Michelle Zauner (author) wrote an introductory essay to the new 30th anniversary edition of the book Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. I noticed something wrong with it. This post discusses what new things the 30th Anniversary of Infinite Jest may have to offer the reader.
A Dark Matter by Peter Straub Review
I read Peter Straub's A Dark Matter because it is considered to be literary fiction. I was not impressed. A Short Book Review
Book Review Scar Tissue
I review the book Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis from 2004 better late than never. Updated 12/16/2025
Growing Fritillaria Imperialis Failure or Success?
Will 2026 be the year that I get Fritillaria imperialis to bloom and experience the skunk smell?
Book Review: How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast
Nearly everyone who has a parent with dementia has to worry about funds running out before their parents deaths. But not Erika Jong's daughter, Molly Jong-Fast. How to lose your mother is a takedown book similar but not as harsh as Mommy Dearest was about Joan Crawford.
Book Review: Backstage Passes by Angela Bowie
The book Backstage Passes by Angela Bowie Is fascinating and entertaining but left me wanting to know more about Angela Bowie herself.
Was Elizabeth Wurtzel The Depressed Person
Was Elizabeth Wurtzel The Depressed Person by David Foster Wallace? I looked at the evidence.
Timofey Pnin Character Analysis
I did some research to uncover the mystery of who was the prototype for the character Timofey Pnin in the 1957 novel Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov.
Justice For Peanut and Fred AI Images
I asked AI to make me a Meme or banner I could use to replace my Twitter Background saying “Justice For Peanut and Fred” No AI would do it.
Giant Puff Ball Mushroom
10/11/2024 We discovered a forest of Giant Puff Ball Mushrooms on the 6 acres of property behind our house. Calvatia gigantea Just in time for Halloween More of them exist but I could get them all into one photo. This is the largest one to show scale and another appears nearby in the corner
David Sedaris’s Dairies
David Sedaris is a humorist but I just found out today that he's also a diarist. The reason I wanted to review his book is because it's about the 70s. Theft by Finding 1977-2002 book review with no spoilers.
Nietzsche and Other Buddhas
Book Review of Nietzsche and Other Buddhas by Jason M. Wirth Analyzing the quote “Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'. “ - Friedrich Nietzsche
No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July Review
I discuss the character who I believe to be Miranda July herself who populates many of the short stories in the book “No One Belongs Here More Than You” by Miranda July.
2023 Land Restoration Report
Progress report two years into my land restoration project.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Book reads like a Soap Opera Plot. This is my short review with spoilers.
Defeating Dementia Book Review
Defeating Dementia Book Review inspired by Nora Ephron’s Book “I Remember Nothing.”
Free Seeds for Pollinators
The Missouri Department of Conservation was giving away free seed packages to help pollinating insects. Here is my review of those seeds.
The Tape Beatles or The Tape-Beatles
The Tape Beatles or The Tape-Beatles were an experimental avant-garde group in the early 90s. Instead of using traditional instruments or making music in the normal way they made their music entirely of samples.
Charles Nelson Reilly on Children’s TV
A look Charles Nelson Reilly in the 70s on Children's Television. Uncle Croc's Block was similar to Pee-Wee's Playhouse.
Diane Keaton Biography Book Reviews
I read three different Diane Keaton biographies to see if I could come to an understanding of her.
Matthew Perry Book Review
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry Book Review with Spoilers
Pink Balloon Flower
The Balloon Flower come in purple and pink, but are mistakenly labeled as blue or white. One of the few blue flowers is Asiatic Day Flower. Notes on Growing Balloon Flowers and Spiderworts.
Notes on the Goon Squad
This is not really a book review because the book is too complex. This is just some afterthoughts I had upon finishing the novel A Visit from the Goon Squad.
Disorientation Music
Fictional Story: Bob Nelson tries to rise to the next level by turning his Disorientation Music into Disassociation Music.
Lucille Garrard Doll Artist
Lucille Garrard Doll Artist 1983 Rainy Day and Sunny Day Dolls
A Village After Dark by Kazuo Ishiguro
In the story “A Village After Dark” by Kazuo Ishiguro a man comes back to the village where he used to live but nothing is the same.
Delmore Schwartz and Jean Stafford
“Children are never bored on Sundays” by Jean Stafford is a fictional story about a woman who goes to the Metropolitan Art Museum in Manhattan. I take a deeper look into the character Eisenberg who was based on poet Delmore Schwartz.
Creating a Habitat for Wildlife
This post is about what needs to be done to restore habit land for animals, plants, birds.
Yog-Sothoth Review
I look at a dipiction of Yog-Sothoth from the book The Gods of HP Lovecraft by Aaron J. French.
The Great Pyramid Monument
A book review of Solution 9: The Great Pyramid Book
What Is It All But Luminous: Notes from an Underground Man by Art Garfunkel
Book Review: Art Garfunkel Biography is more like a magazine article that will be recycled eventually and forgotten. This book is not a keeper.
Sandra Payne: A World of Shine
Barrett Barrera Projects Art Gallery was located in St. Louis. Sandra Payne died before her first exhibit could come to fruition.
Marie Antoinette The Rose of Versailles Doll by Asahi Toys
I have collected both types of The Rose of Versailles Doll by Asahi Toys by from the late 70s.
Burroughs, Joan and Ginsberg
The books Junky and Queer by William S. Burroughs have a lot of interesting characters. Someone should create character list to keep track of them.
Against Nature Book Review
Against Nature is a book about a man's desire for total isolation. Of course, it did not work out. No man is an island. Read my review after you have read the book first, as it contains spoilers.
Lunar Park Book Review
I thought at first I Lunar Park was better then Less Than Zero (Bret Easton Ellis's first novel), but when it morphed into a horror novel it became unenjoyable.
Progress Report Land Restoration
Removing aggressive and non native trees to help the good native trees.
Clearing Native Land of Invasive Non Native Plants
Clearing out native land to create a healthy environment for plants animals and pollinators.
The Runaways and Cherie Currie Book Review
My impressions after reading and listening to the “Neon Angel Book”. I found the book to have a serious creditability issue. I never knew who the Runaways were at the time in which they were famous.
Juana Leno Pig Acoma Pottery
Juana Leno was born and lived in Acoma Pueblo where she was a respected pottery master. Did she make this pig?
Like his namesake Mr. Gone is Gone
What happened to the actor who played Mr. Gone in the animated series The Maxx?
Macy Makes Magic 