Book Review - Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond by Eve Plumb

 

My Review

Growing up, Friday night was my favorite TV night, with a lineup that included The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family.  I was the same age as the youngest Brady kids, so of course I found that show particularly interesting.  The Brady Bunch was an elementary school water cooler show -- we liked Jan and Marcia's groovy outfits, and debated whether Peter or Greg was cuter.

I love retro nostalgia, and have enjoyed reading previous Brady biographies by Barry Williams and Maureen McCormick, so of course I looked forward to Eve Plumb's book too.

This is a wonderful biography - a bit quieter and more introspective, but so thoughtful and well written.  I particularly enjoyed reading Eve's memories of The Brady Bunch.  They included passages like:

"In season 3 we were granted the go-ahead to increase the miles between the Stage 5 set and a remote location. The show was going to the Grand Canyon as the Brady family vacation. We were thrilled at the chance for a real adventure! It was my first time at the Grand Canyon. We arrived the evening before the first day of filming, and the dark abyss of the canyon at night, and the splay of brilliant stars like a dome from horizon to horizon, was both scary and breathtaking." (ebook location 1383).

Eve has a lifelong close friendship with Christopher Knight ("Peter"), the other Brady middle child.  She shares sweet memories of Florence Henderson (kind, bubbly, warm), Ann B. Davis (a consummate professional), and Robert Reed (who was like a second father to the Brady kids - even taking them all on a trip to London).

I didn't know much about Eve's personal background and found the stories about her parents interesting - especially her father's work in the music industry.  (He signed The Monkees as a recording act!)

There is no nightmare descent in this celebrity bio -- except for some typical teenage rebellion, Eve seems centered and happy ... especially focusing on her art.

I enjoyed Happiness Included and recommend this book to other readers who grew up with The Brady Bunch.  There were no photos included in the advanced reading copy, but I am assuming there must be pictures in the finished print/Kindle editions.

Throwback Thursday - Wedge Sandals

 During my teen years, wedge shoes - and especially wedge sandals - were THE thing.  They were also called platform shoes.  Of course I loved these, even though I wobbled a bit wearing them!   It's interesting to see how fashions in clothes and shoes change and evolve over the years.  The wedge has gone in and out of style several times in the past decades. 

This was the quintessential wedge sandal during my teen years.  It had a wood sole.  Some of these sandals had cork soles (nice and light to wear) or rope (cute but not durable in rainy weather!).

Do you remember wedge shoes from retro years?  Or perhaps more recent versions?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - '70's TV

Let's talk about 1970's television.  The '70's were childhood and teen years for me, so of course I enjoyed TV!

My favorite childhood shows were from the 1970's -- The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family.   I loved the more everyday adventures of the suburban Brady family, while I adored the groovy tunes on The Partridge Family.  (Plus, of course, David Cassidy.)

My parents were big fans of the MTM shows -- The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, and Rhoda.  We watched those together as a family.   My Mom loved The Mary Tyler Moore Show best, with Mary's great wardrobe and tv station camaraderie.  My Dad liked the wry wit of The Bob Newhart Show.  Me?  I liked Rhoda because she had a cool job (designing NYC department store windows) and a handsome boyfriend (later, husband).  As an adult, I still adore all three of these shows.  When they are in the Me-TV rotation, I will make time to watch them.

I recently discovered a pretty amazing website.  It's called My '70's TV.  You can tune into all types of 1970's programming -- comedies, dramas, soap operas, music videos, commercials, and much more.   I watched for just a few minutes and saw a commercial for Wilson tennis balls, a few minutes of Eight Is Enough, and part of a Roger Thorpe episode of Guiding Light.  Fun!  And free.   I think you would enjoy this site too:  My '70's TV.

What are YOUR favorite 1970's tv programs?   I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" - Billy Joel (1977)

"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was on Billy Joel's The Stranger album (1977).  It was never a '45, but it still got airplay back in the 1970's ... and I always have to turn it up when it comes on SiriusXM.

The song has three parts:  a gentle opening about two classmates meeting for a glass of wine, a jazz section with lots of brass, and then a rock section about Brenda and Eddie.  It's a complex composition, and I think a pretty amazing song.

Do you remember this one?  What is your favorite Billy Joel song?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Ride Captain Ride" - Blues Image (1970)

"Ride Captain Ride" was a hit in 1970 for Blues Image, climbing to number 4 on the charts.  Blues Image was a band out of Tampa, Florida.  This was their one hit wonder, but the members of the band later went on to play with other singers and groups including Iron Butterfly, Chi Coltrane, Bobby Womack, Alice Cooper, Three Dog Night, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

"Ride Captain Ride" was written by Blues Image members Mike Pinera and Frank "Skip" Konte.  An interesting bit of trivia about this song -- it was inspired by the number of keys on Mike Pinera's Rhodes piano:  "73 men sailed up, from the San Francisco Bay."

This song reminds me of childhood summers, of the beach ... happy memories.  Do you remember this one?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - Gauchos

Let's go back in the Way Back Machine to our teen years.  Think about what you wore.  What was the biggest fashion don't of your teens?   

Mine was definitely gauchos.  This happening style was basically knee length culottes with a lot of flare at the knees.  They were typically worn with vests, as pictured above, and with a snug knit top or silky Qiana patterned blouse.  Let me say that this was not a figure flattering look - on anyone!   And yet I wore it anyway.   I'm glad this was a short-lived fashion trend, and even happier that it has not been revived.

Did you ever wear gauchos?  What fashion don't did YOU wear in your teens?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers (1977)

You know that list of Top 10 all-time favorite songs I've mentioned here before (although I still haven't put together an actual list)?   This song is on it.  "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers was released in 1977 and charted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  A little note of trivia -- Bill Withers holds a note for 18 seconds near the end of the song.


Do you remember this one?  It is pure musical happiness for me.

Maybelline Kissing Potion: A 1970's Fave

Do you remember Maybelline Kissing Potion?   It was a roll-on shiny lip gloss from the 1970's.   The ad above (1975) features a young Kim Basinger.  The gloss originally included the following flavors:  Strawberry Swirl, Mighty Mint, Krazy Kola, Cherry Smash, Cinnamon Stick, and Fruit Flip. Later other flavors were added, like Candy Cane (pictured below).

I loved this lip gloss as a 1970's teen!  I recall it was sometimes a little gift in a Christmas stocking, or at birthday parties.  My favorite flavors were Mighty Mint, Candy Cane, and Cinnamon Stick.  It tasted sweet and it was very shiny.  I used this for a long time until one time a bottle of it leaked in my purse while I was at school.  That ended my love of Kissing Potion!  After that I moved on to Bonne Belle Lipsmackers.

If you enjoy retro topics like this, come join my 1950's - 1970's retro pop culture group on Facebook, Do You Remember (just click the link).  Do you remember Kissing Potion or Lipsmackers?