Books & Blooms

We Got Wet

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:00:00 GMT

We are still a couple months in the past - early March 2025! Lee recaps the rest of her Cali vacation. Val is out of breath. How do you feel about baby showers? In the Books section, Lee and Val share their literary turnoffs.

SHOW NOTES:

You can find a pic of Lee in all her Disney ears and taped glasses glory here.

The story of the Alcatraz Indian Occupation is actually fascinating and complicated–and there was more than one phase of the occupation. You can read more about it here.

Yayoi Kusama and her poem “On Pumpkins”

Pikmin bloom app

Email the pod: booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trees Aren't Real

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:01:00 GMT

Lee’s in California, and regales Val and the audience with her travel tales. Somehow, from there, they dig into these deep questions. What makes a tree a tree? What would you do if you could change your sex every year? Also, they make a pact. For the Plants segment, it’s a tree episode! Val and Lee don’t know that much about trees though, so they keep it very short.

SHOW NOTES:

Here’s a photo of the sculpture “Michael Jackson and Bubbles” by Jeff Koons.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Here’s a pic of Laika, the first doggie in space.

If you, too, would like to puzzle through What Tree Is That?, here’s where you can order it.

Email the pod: booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Ass Has Its Seat

Mon, 26 May 2025 16:03:39 GMT

Welcome to Season 2!! We recorded this back in early February. Pregnant Val rates fast food chicken nuggets. Lee presents a haiku about Punxatawney Phil and a fun fact about Snoop Dogg. In the Books segment, our hosts have a conversation about what books have been “spoiled” for them by bad-acting authors, and discuss the question: Is it possible to hate an author and still love their book?

SHOW NOTES:

The suffrage episode we referenced is from Val’s old podcast, Research Hole, and lives here.

Punxataney Phil tiktok song: https://www.tiktok.com/@olivesongs11/video/7331570501954850090?lang=en

Val’s favorite Philomena response: https://www.tiktok.com/@haleyannaaaa/video/7332695161522097450

Two other duets:

https://www.tiktok.com/@alexachalnick/video/7332979950129040670

https://www.tiktok.com/@iniebs/video/7332547908757146910

A video on mahi mahi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N5vC9NTxAU

Email the pod: booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Announcing Season 2!!

Sat, 24 May 2025 17:39:51 GMT

We're starting another season! More nonsense to come.

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Nothing or Nothing

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:00 GMT

Fresh off a cleaning jag, Lee comes in hot with lots of energy and a special segment about floral baby names. That's right, if you are having a baby sometime soon OR if you're just a names/name trends enthusiast, Lee has suggestions for you, plus some names she does NOT suggest. Also: Val has life news and Lee begins a woo-woo journey. In our Plants segment, Val tells a whole story about a 'blackberry bush' that was actually a gooseberry bush. Down with Meat Sweats!

SHOW NOTES;

Foxgloves are, in fact, poisonous.

Noel Fielding's instagram

In case you, too, want to see the cover of The Untethered Soul: A Journey Beyond Yourself

Lee's substack: https://leelucci.substack.com

That Bojack Horseman episode Val referred to is actually called "Stupid Piece of Sh*t"

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vampires All the Way Down

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:19:54 GMT

Did you watch the new Nosferatu and wonder how it compares to the original, but didn’t have it in you to sit through a silent movie. The Books and Blooms podcast has you covered! Val watched the original Nosferatu. Lee watched the new movie. They compare and contrast. But first, life updates! Lee has seasonal affective disorder, but she’s finding joy where she can. Val has no heat.

Justice for Knock, but only in the original.

SHOW NOTES:

One pioneer in treating childhood leukemia was Emil J. Freireich, who both discovered that his patients’ bleeding was caused by insufficient platelets and who believed in combining chemo drugs, despite opposition.

Here is a writeup and some wild pics of Trovants, i.e. Romanian bubbly rocks

Nosferatu’s crazy mustache

Shadow of the Vampire, 2004 movie

Tooth fairy horror movie - don’t be afraid of the dark

Monster pics from Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

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Haunt Me!

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:01:00 GMT

This quick lil ep of Books and Blooms may brighten your day! Lee has a haiku about her self-improvement kick! Val laments about Tinder! In our Plants segment, Val shares decorating tips: three design-forward houseplants that help to elevate a room. Plus: inept dance teachers, Lee's conflicting football feels, and haunted doll shenanigans.

SHOW NOTES

Volcano was a 1997 thriller about a volcano in L.A.

Here is an article about the volcano under part of Yellowstone.

Yoga with Adriene

See all the plants in Val’s houseplant show and tell here. (Plants mentioned: the friendship plant (pilea peperomioides), the snake plant (dracaena trifasciata), dried plants and flowers.)

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LUFYOJ

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:10:58 GMT

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a daughter in possession of no other options, will fuck your enemy’s child. That’s right, we have finished Wuthering Heights, and we wrap up our discussion on the book today! But first: ValVal has lots of theories! LeeLee has trivia about Garfield and another cartoon cat! They discuss the pros and cons of being high in an airport, when to reveal curse words to children, and the new movie Nosferatu.

SHOW NOTES:

video from this years Pop Tarts bowl

terrifying sun (mascot of the Fiesta Bowl)

Pic of the LUFYOJ banner can be found here.

Heathcliff the cat’s website is here. And Lee points us to this post.

The onset age of puberty/periods in women has varied over history. The average first period age in 1840 was 17, and that has gone down in the past 50 years.

This lecture contains some quotes of the terrible reviews Wuthering Heights received on publication.

But What If We're Wrong?: Thinking about the Present as If It Were the Past by Chuck Klosterman

Do YOU think cats are either women or old men? Email us at booksandbloomspod@gmail.com.

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Complaints Department

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 12:00:00 GMT

They’re here. Get your sword.

Is it a sillier than usual episode? Maybe! Val and Lee discuss an important would you rather regarding turtle shells. Lee suggests a sequel idea for Home Alone, and then the two of them wind up recounting the entire plot of Home Alone. Val waxes poetic about the brilliant picture book I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. In our Plants segment, Val provides tips about how to save your holiday amaryllis. We hope you all are surviving January.

SHOW NOTES:

Office Christmas Party SNL skit

You can force tulip bulbs indoors! But you need to follow all these steps and you really need to give them the right conditions.

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

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Follow Books & Blooms: https://www.instagram.com/booksandblooms_phl

Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Backwards Episode

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:01:26 GMT

Two friends wearing orange hoodies spend a Friday night do their best to wuther the heights, i.e. talk about the first half of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. This is the backwards episode because they do that first, THEN they shoot the shit and discuss miscellaneous things like: plains verses mountains, super smellers, and what settings are perfect for horror movies. If you, too, enjoy Wuthering Heights in the same way you enjoy reality TV, you'll vibe with this fun ep.

SHOW NOTES:

Irish travellers vs. Romani

In the book, Catherine says to Nelly: “But I begin to fancy you don't like me. How strange! I thought, though everybody hated and despised each other, they could not avoid loving me.

Here’s the quote where they wax ecstatic about crocuses/spring: “'These are the earliest flowers at the Heights,' she exclaimed. 'They remind me of soft thaw winds, and warm sunshine, and nearly melted snow. Edgar, is there not a south wind, and is not the snow almost gone?'

'The snow is quite gone down here, darling,' replied her husband; 'and I only see two white spots on the whole range of moors: the sky is blue, and the larks are singing, and the becks and brooks are all brim full. Catherine, last spring at this time, I was longing to have you under this roof; now, I wish you were a mile or two up those hills: the air blows so sweetly, I feel that it would cure you.'”

Hotels and signature scents

The woman who could smell Parkinson’s

There is unfortunately no cure for Parkinson’s, but there are treatments that can relieve symptoms.

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hypochondria Episode

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:01:38 GMT

Warning: if you are highly suggestible about potential illness the way LeeLee and ValVal are, take note! Our dynamic but sometimes fearful duo discuss what fingernail ridges could be a sign of, and also listeria. This episode also includes: Lee’s take on the first ten pages of Wuthering Heights, plus trivia about the word of the year, whale fins, and the arugula plant. You weirdo, Nature!

SHOW NOTES:

Twilight soundtrack

Batman Forever soundtrack

Romeo & Juliet soundtrack

The Great Gatsby soundtrack

Val could find no sign online that arugula grows sharper to deter animals from eating it. Most websites refer to heat as a reason the taste turns sharper—heat also can make arugula “bolt” (i.e. flower).

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We Wuther

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:00:18 GMT

Just in time for Christmas, we give you Thanksgiving updates! Lee did Bodypump with her dad, Val sat for an anxious dog, and more. ValVal and LeeLee share how they like to leave a gathering, and explore the question: how do you prepare your friends to leave your gathering when you want them to? In our Books segment, we talk cozy reads, and somehow that leads to us deciding to read Wuthering Heights together. Want to read along? We will discuss our hot takes about the first half of the book in two weeks, and we’ll talk about the full book in a month. Wuther some heights with us!

What do you read when you want to feel cozy? Email us at booksandbloomspod@gmail.com to let us know.

SHOW NOTES:

You know what Wicked is, but here is a link to the movie Theater Camp.

Wishbone!

Here’s a quote from Soccer the dog’s trainer from the article “Top Dog: An Oral History of Wishbone”: “Soccer wasn’t the smartest dog I’ve ever trained, but he had that willingness to please. And he had a great heart. I mean, he’d walk on water for me.”

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Medically Gross Episode

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:00:41 GMT

It’s also a Plants ep! Lee explains deadheading and updates us on her peace lily's progress. Val shares their thoughts on fake plants, and later, tells a plant story about the importance of greenery.

CONTENT WARNING: For some reason, Val and Lee also decide to share gross/medical stories, mostly about poop. But it’s only gross from 36:14 to 42:36 and Val pops in to warn you right before.

Other than that! Lee waxes poetic about her new watercolor set and the joy of chain restaurants, specifically Chile’s. Val plans to bake a tart.

SHOW NOTES:

Heretic is a psychological horror film from A24. Here’s the trailer.

Lee’s folk art flowers

The wedding bouquet from Val’s story

Full Bloom was deleted from HBO Max because of a merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia. You can watch the season trailers on youtube but that’s it.

The Big Flower Fight is on Netflix!

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mega-Pie

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 12:01:27 GMT

A cold snap started and Val and Lee are not handling it well, judging by their haikus. LeeLee gives us trivia about where the word Triscuit comes from and requests a mapping system for the life cycle of her clothing. Both Val and Lee ponder the pros and cons of having snakes as pets and lose their shit over the very idea of a fresh cookie. Plus, it’s a Books episode! Lee and Val share their thoughts and feelings about The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. Listen to the full ep to find out what type of nun LeeLee would be if she was a nun.

SHOW NOTES:

When Val said “Did you see the-?” and didn’t finish their sentence, they were referring to the SNL sketch with John Mulaney about the Port Authority Duane Reade.

John Mulaney’s horse in a hospital bit is from Trump’s first administration :(

You too can look at a meme of a sad oompa loompa and learn about the terrible event it references.

Val and Lee were not that impressed by Otherworld Philadelphia.

LeeLee is reading Burn by Peter Heller

The name of the nun in Derry Girls is Sister Michael

Immaculate is a horror movie starring Syndey Sweeney as Sister Cecilia.

Quote from the book: “Because isn't that how forever happens—instantly?”

The Flood of Agnes

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

The Yoke of Capitalism segment intro: Playful Haunt (30s) by UNIVERSFIELD -- https://freesound.org/s/755864/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop Buying Presidents on Temu

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:00:06 GMT

This is the episode where Lee and Val have just found Donald Trump was elected. But even on the darkest days, The Yoke of Capitalism is unavoidable. LeeLee and ValVal buy treats they don’t need, consider buying even more treats, and talk about Christmas lists / gift giving. Brace yourselves for the car mats story. Val’s plant story is about the tradescantia (which they keep incorrectly pronouncing as “transcendentia” for some reason), also known as the wandering dude.

SHOW NOTES:

Whole Foods asparagus water

How Fetterman’s “Let them eat crudité” stickers came to be

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

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Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

The Yoke of Capitalism segment intro: Playful Haunt (30s) by UNIVERSFIELD -- https://freesound.org/s/755864/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yaboi, Carl

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 12:00:41 GMT

It’s the episode directly after Halloween! LeeLee and ValVal recap the highlights of their candy-giving. Also, Lee went to a haunted house and met a clown with an evocative name and lots of layers. In the Books segment, Val and Lee discuss their recent and current reads. Plus, they choose the next podcast book!

SHOW NOTES:

The porn star who shot his Tesla is named Dante Colle.

You can’t take a train from Philly to Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe, back when it was called Mauch Chunk, used to be called “The Switzerland of America” or “the Little Switzerland of America.” Val can’t find a source that explains when/how it got that name.

Books we recommended:

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The Three-Body Problem books by Cixin Liu

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock - our next pick!! Read along with us!

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roombas for Nothing

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 12:00:54 GMT

ValVal and LeeLee hate cleaning. LeeLee got a roomba, but the results weren't great. There’s a lot of trivia in this ep! Does the Philly pretzel really belong to Central PA? Do you know the full “no one likes us” Eagles chant? What ingredient was originally in 7Up? What Vice Presidential candidates can you name from 2000 on? Listen to find out! Also, Lee tells Val about the J.D. Vance couch fucking incident, and Val tells Lee a story about tiny succulents.

SHOW NOTES:

Beloved Philly chants

Pretzels were brought over by the Pennsylvania Dutch, so it makes sense that the Philly and Central PA versions are similar.

There was up to 200 mg of lithium in the original 7Up!

Hilary Clinton’s VP pick in 2016 was Tim Kaine.

“My President Was Black” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a beautiful piece that ran in The Atlantic, describes the Obamas’ farewell party, which was presented by BET and had an incredible lineup of musical guests.

We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures

is available online and can be ordered through your local bookstore. Val’s story in the collection is called “How to Summon Me.”

Hyperemesis gravidarum is extreme, persistent nausea during pregnancy. Yikes.

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

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Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Calming manatee segment intro: Happy Lazy Loop by SergeQuadrado -- https://freesound.org/s/555800/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Babysitters Club Time Loop

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:00:37 GMT

As part of our nostalgia books series, Lee and I have an important discussion about The Babysitters Club. But first! We give you a highlights reel of Lee’s Taskmaster-themed 40th birthday. From the babysitters, we learn that Lee does not like script fonts, and socialism pushes its own agenda.

SHOW NOTES:

Google Belgian malinois to get a sense of Nico’s energy.

Revenge bedtime procrastination appears more in people who struggle with self-regulation. (Guilty!)

I couldn’t find one website that shows all the handwriting fonts in the Babysitters Club, but you can find plenty of them by googling “babysitters club handwriting.”

Stacey McGill was the babysitter who dotted her i’s with hearts.

Val was wrong about when Dawn panics in New York City—it doesn’t happen during a super special. It happens in the main series, in book 18, Stacey’s Mistake.

“Stacey has a problem and it's not her diabetes - it's her parents” is a wikipedia description of BSC Book 3, The Truth About Stacey.

BSC Book 7, Claudia and Mean Janine, is the story where Mimi has stroke.

Stacey’s bad girl arc starts on book 83, Stacey vs. The BSC, and ends on book 87, literally Stacey and the Bad Girls.

Amber Tamblyn was not in The Babysitters Club movie, but it did feature Rachel Leigh Cook (Mary Anne), Schuyler Fisk (Kristy), and Larisa Oleynik (Dawn), who you might also remember as Alex Mack!

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The One True Podcast

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:00:52 GMT

In this special ep, ValVal and LeeLee are together! Talking into one mic! They discuss many topics, including: the pitfalls of naming your daughter Belladonna, health food stores, #BlazerLife, Lee’s fascination with pimple popping and earwax, and whether one dress can be as big news as the swan and meat dresses were. Also, Lee went to a hobbit party. Val’s plant story stars a cashier at a witchy store who was like a riddler: he told Val one true fact about the Brassica oleracea species (which includes a surprising amount of veggies you know) and something very false. With bonus trivia about supertasters, bitter receptors, and competitive cousins AVI and PAV.

SHOW NOTES:

This article explains how Hurricane Milton “formed under the perfect conditions for rapid intensification.”

The sound of rhubarb popping as it grows: https://soundcloud.com/rhubarb-rhubarb-rhubarb/a-mass-of-popping-rhubarb

Sounds of a murmuration of starlings: https://www.richardmudhar.com/blog/2019/11/the-sound-of-starlings-massing/

Apparently, you can see the aurora borealis on latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees, which includes Iceland, northern parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada and Alaska as well as southern Greenland. But you still have to look things up and plan ahead, because it’s visibility changes.

Do women have a better sense of smell? According to this article, studies show that on average, they do.

More on bitter receptors and supertasters

Email us! booksandbloomspod@gmail.com

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Follow Books & Blooms: https://www.instagram.com/booksandblooms_phl

Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

The Yoke of Capitalism segment intro: Playful Haunt (30s) by UNIVERSFIELD -- https://freesound.org/s/755864/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zappity Hands

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:00:30 GMT

Welcome to book club with Val and Lee! But first, dog talk! But before that, haikus about the Vice Presidential Debate! We absolutely loved All the Names They Used for God by Anjali Sachdeva and we had fun talking about her stories. If you also read the book and have any takes you want to share, email us at booksandbloomspod@gmail.com.

SHOW NOTES:

The Penn State Mascot: The Nittany Lion

Val was wrong about The Great American Baking Show—there is no cash prize. They just compete like there is one.

From The New York Times: ‘Vance’s Excellent Reviews Will Enrage Trump’: 13 Writers on Who Won the Vice-Presidential Debate. Val’s haiku featured the words of Katherine Mangu-Ward.

Pesto the Penguin

The boat thought experiment is called Theseus’s Paradox

Edgar Allen Poe wrote about how short stories great a “single effect” in an essay called ”The Importance of the Single Effect in a Prose Tale.”

The Power is a novel by Naomi Alderman.

What Happened to Monday is a scifi show on Netflix.

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Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Calming manatee segment intro: Happy Lazy Loop by SergeQuadrado -- https://freesound.org/s/555800/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aspartame Bite

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:00:44 GMT

Let’s talk about pants, baby. In a new segment called “The Yoke of Capitalism,” Lee waxes poetic about the benefits of skinny jeans, muses about shorter-leg shorts, and wonders what to do with a coffee-stained shirt. Val, a conspiracy theorist about Big Seltzer, shares some dahlia facts and a story about a garden lady named Mary. Lee shares the plan for her 40th birthday. (Hint: It’s inspired by the show Taskmasters.)

SHOW NOTES:

We now have an email! It’s booksandbloomspod@gmail.com! Send us your thoughts, questions, and stories.

What makes skinny jeans stretchy? According to this website, skinny jeans tend to have built in stretchy material like Elastane or lycra.

Val isn’t the only person suspicious of “natural flavors” in seltzer. A few years ago, a lawsuit was filed against LaCroix about their use of linalool under the “natural flavors” umbrella. However, the case was dropped.

Coke Zero and Oreo collaboration

Fear of holes is called trypophobia.

Dahlia tubers look like this. Ball dahlias look like this.

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Follow Books & Blooms: https://www.instagram.com/booksandblooms_phl

Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

The Yoke of Capitalism segment intro: Playful Haunt (30s) by UNIVERSFIELD -- https://freesound.org/s/755864/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Low Threshold for Excitement

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:01:33 GMT

Lee brings her trivia A game by sharing the lore of Colonel Sanders as well as the real names of many cartoon mascots and characters. Val discusses the benefits of Rita’s, being a creature of habit, and adderall. Which childhood book series harmed us more: Sweet Valley or Goosebumps? We weigh in on this and other important questions in our Books segment. Cool baby name of the week: Esme.

SHOW NOTES:

The Colonel Sanders wikipedia page

The real name of Shaggy (who wrote the song It Wasn’t Me): Orville Richard Burrell

The real name of Shaggy from Scooby Doo: Norville Rogers

ADHD inattentive type

Lee’s childhood gemstone box

R.L. Stine might have had ghostwriters. This article about R.L. Stine and Scholastic suing each other delves into the question.

Goosebumps books referenced: Night of the Living Dummy, Stay Out of the Basement, Welcome to the Dead House, Say Cheese and Die!

Sweet Valley books referenced: Sweet Valley University Thriller Edition: The Roommate (Val thought the story happened to Lila Fowler but it actually happened to an SVU-only character named Isabella), Sweet Valley Twins: The Carnival Ghost, Sweet Valley Saga: The Wakefields of Sweet Valley

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Sound attribution credits: Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0. Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0. Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0. Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0. Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mad or Floppy

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 11:01:33 GMT

Are you the anchor or the kite? Lee and Val recover from their days by venting a little, arguing about cold plunges, and telling dog stories. They read debate-themed haikus and somehow wind up discussing the American Girl series for awhile. Val tells a story about an early fall flower: the zinnia, which is also the baby name of the week! Lee had to buy a new water heater. RIP her back.

SHOW NOTES:

The author of the Addy books was Connie Porter. The article Val referred to was a fascinating, thorough piece in Slate about the decisions that went into the creation of the Addy story and doll, including her hair: The Making of An American Girl Doll by Aisha Harris.

From the American Girl wiki:

Josefina Montoya is a Mexican girl living on a rancho (ranch settlement) fifteen miles away from Santa Fe in 1824, during the time when the territory was under Mexican rule, only a few years after Mexican independence from Spanish colonialism.

Kaya is a Native American/Indigenous girl of the Nimíipuu, or Nez Perce tribe. Her stories take place in the 1760s and are set prior to permanent settlement of the Pacific Northwest by white European-Americans.

Here’s a bit more about how the first zinnias in space were grown.

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

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Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s Nobility in Trying

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 11:01:32 GMT

Have you put off a medical appointment for several years? Do you want to learn some manatee facts? Either way, you’ll love our new segment “Calming Manatee.” ValVal and LeeLe complain about the hypocrisy of a particular type of children’s theater and about the way people treat retail workers. Book-wise, Lee shares her cozy fantasy recs and Val introduces the first podcast read: All the Names They Used for God by Anjali Sachdeva. Special guest appearance by Nico the dog!

SHOW NOTES:

The manatee meme generated several versions of this.

Here’s a bummer: what happens to the air when you burn your trash.

You can learn more about the efforts to help the ozone layer here and (relatedly) LA’s efforts to clean up its air here. And, of course, if you want to learn more about manatees (including the “marching molars”), here’s an informative FAQ page.

Lee’s Queer Cozy Fantasy Reads:

TJ Klune’s House on the Cerulean Sea

Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes

Our first podcast read: All the Names They Used for God by Anjali Sachdeva. Book discussion will come in a few weeks!

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

Buy merch from LeeLee: https://www.redbubble.com/people/superstarling/shop

Follow Books & Blooms: https://www.instagram.com/booksandblooms_phl

Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Calming manatee segment intro: Happy Lazy Loop by SergeQuadrado -- https://freesound.org/s/555800/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Books segment intro: Summer Surf (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/711669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curious Himbo

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:01:00 GMT

Welcome to the Books and Blooms podcast! It’s real loose. LeeLee and ValVal do a little art talk and share their feelings on long-haired dogs, furries, and dog rescue email lists. ValVal shares a Plant Story about a single red rose and a very busy Valentine’s Day. Never say we didn’t do nothing for no one!

Episode 1 Show Notes:

Jeff Koons: https://jeffkoons.com

Sad Abe Lincoln: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJuvGiM1zb/?igsh=MWF3ODF1YjN2c3gzMQ==

Dog showr: Tender Wasabi (the winner of the 2021 dog show) can be seen here. Fantabulous Wild Thang (the winner of the 2024 Ugliest Dog contest) can be seen here.

Anthrocon: Here’s a news article about how Anthrocon raised money for senior dogs. Can YOU make it through without crying?

Snl “Thanksgiving at Kamala’s” skit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPgLU8IDNTI. “Ella Emhoff” at 3:02.

Will You Be There, by Michael Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQY_QL_wvQU. Do yourself a favor and watch the video.

Follow LeeLee: https://www.instagram.com/leelee_draws_pictures

Buy merch from LeeLee: https://www.redbubble.com/people/superstarling/shop

Follow Books & Blooms: https://www.instagram.com/booksandblooms_phl

Buy from Books & Blooms: https://www.booksandblooms.shop/

Sound attribution credits:

Theme song: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Trivia segment intro: Electric Chimes.wav by zilverton -- https://freesound.org/s/201109/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Haiku segment intro: Strange wind chimes duo! — Debussy Bells, bamboo by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/686153/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.

Haiku background: bell-bowl G-ish.wav by Squidocto -- https://freesound.org/s/255762/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.

Plant story intro: Golvuna by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/610679/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

(LeeLee was right about music copyright… it’s a myth that a short clip is okay, otherwise I totally would have played Will You Be There.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome!

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 11:00:37 GMT

What we are all about! Check back here Monday, September 23rd, 2024 for Episode 1.

Background music: Snabba Ladda, Snappy beat, Cheerful feeling! by kjartan_abel – https://freesound.org/s/632406/ -- License: Attribution 4.0.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.