Linda picked the perfect prompt today! The Perfect Prompt!

A few weeks ago I bought myself a book. I don’t buy very many of those lately – I haven’t gotten around to reading all the ones I bought over the past few years so I try not to compound the problem, but when I saw this one it couldn’t be helped.

It’s Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents by Pete Souza.

No, seriously. That’s the title. You see why this prompt is perfect then. Fate. Kismet. Kind of like when I stumbled across the book online and three clicks later it was on the way.

But I digress.

I’m gonna link here so you can see what I’m talking about. I’ll send you to goodreads for the preview but you can pick this up at most bookstores and online, too – I make no moola either way so it makes no difference to me.

Have you checked it out? Underneath the book graphic/icon/thingamajiggy is a hot button labeled “Open Preview” – click that. Flip through a few pages. Ready? Okay then.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I mean, I already knew I loved Pete Souza’s work in photography, but he uses his photos with a side of humor that strikes just the right tone. For me. It strikes just the right tone for me, but y’all know I lean toward snarky so you can’t say you weren’t warned.

His photos from the Obama administration days are breathtaking – and I don’t use that word lightly – but the way he juxtaposes them with Trump’s tweets and headlines is brilliant. Sometimes it’s a bit heartbreaking but in that see? remember?? it used to be okay, almost normal really, and I know we’ve forgotten but HERE IT IS, right here in living color, and we can get normal back again kind of way.

If you’re on the Insta I highly recommend following his account (@petesouza). That’s where he shares photos from his time as the White House photographer, ones that are usually linked to the day’s current events. Oh, and if you know any Obama fans this would make a pretty great holiday gift. Just a little it’s-26-days-to-Christmas tip from me to you.

Linda hosts Stream of Consciousness Saturday. This week’s prompt is “shade.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!