Throwback Thursday!

Those were the days!  First song I heard this morning-'Moonglow'. Reminded me of the movie 'Picnic' with Robert Holden and Kim Novak.  See if this clip brings back memories.

MISSING IN ACTION

I didn't realize how missing I was...since August, 2015!  I haven't been idle, but somehow I never made time to tell you what's happening in my world.  So...
Here's the short story in pictures of what happened along the way 
December, 2015.  Glad to be back! 

Beginning in September...

Estes Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park

Brad Fitch Concert
John Denver Tribute at
YMCA of the Rockies

And, a side trip to....

Jackson Hole Wyoming

October...

Chuck won Painting of the Month
Brush Strokes Art Club
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
and I worked a 1,000 piece puzzle of same.
Sherri sent it since her picture was his inspiration!

Leslie and Hunter Dunn Wedding
Sherri came from California

November...

Thanksgiving in Benton 

with Family

December...

 

Men's Chorus sang at Garvan Woodland Garvans (Chuck 1st on left)

A few completed and unreported projects along the way...

Wall Hanging
Rescued Black Bordered Square
I added
Flowered Border, Vine, Leaves, Beads,
and Buttons 

Rag Quilt from Homespuns and Flannel Squares
Christmas Present for a Special Friend

Rag Throw for me
Made from some of my old
denim clothes

8 Artist Trading Cards using
Asian Fabric with
Embellishments

Here's to good things happening in 2016!

Whoever heard of Muscle Shoals Alabama?

Not me...until recently.  How could I have 

missed this important place in the history of 

music?  I guess I was distracted by life?

I have heard of it now.  If you haven't, then 

check out the DVD, "Muscle Shoals",  from your 

local library...or buy it from Amazon.  

'Definitely Watch' or 'Do Not Miss' Movie!

2016 Obama's America, The Movie

I have thought long and hard about recommending this movie to you.  When I am trying to make a decision whether small or large, my question to myself is-"What is the worse thing that can happen?"  So, I asked myself this question.  The answer: the people that subscribed to or followed my Blog would not understand my intent and unsubscribe or not follow my Blog.  As my Blog is published on Facebook, my friends that are offended will 'unfriend' me. So be it!

I recommend that you see "2016 Obama's America" if it is being shown in a movie theater in your area or on You Tube.  I recommend it not to try to change in any beliefs you have or how you will vote in November.  I recommend it because I think all information that can be gathered helps you make a more informed decision.  

Dinesh D'Souza spent his time and resources to bring us this movie. I thank him. 

The film was not what I was expecting.  I was expecting a campaign 'spin' trying to influence my vote.  It was not.  As a friend, on Facebook said: "I am not going to change my mind". There are other friends that even refuse to go see this movie. That is their choice.  I am not so naive as to think that I would ever know all there is to know about an issue. However, I really like to have all information that is available to me from as many sources as are available.  Then, I can make my decision. 

I have two questions about this movie and the information it gives me--
#1 Am I living my Mother's and/or my Father's dream...are we all living our parents' dreams? Do I not have my own dream to fulfill?
#2 Why have I not gotten this information from my normal sources: TV, Radio,Newspapers,Magazines.  It has been on You Tube.  What is that telling you and me?

Seven Days in Utopia

Well...being a "golfer" wanna-be married to a "real" golfer...I went to see Seven Day in Utopia with my husband, the "real" golfer.  He is also my teacher and has been for the last four years.  I know, I am a slow learner.  Not only that, but he wants me to go to movies with him.  I am particular about the movies I watch.  I want a "feel good" movie...no angst, no violence and hopefully, not a lot of sadness...happy tears are okay, but not sad ones.  I do not want to dream all night about a movie that I have just watched.


This movie is a "feel good" movie.  True, it is about a young man's journey to become a winner at a significant golf tournament.  However, there is a life lesson for everyone, not just golfers.  I don't think anyone will go see it that isn't a golfer...just because they aren't!

Clockwise: Lucas Black, Robert Duvall,
Deborah Ann Woll, and Melissa Leo

Of course, any movie with Robert Duvall can't be bad.  It wasn't. I don't think it will win any Academy Awards, but I was glad I went to see it.  However, if you aren't a golfer or a golfer wanna-be, you might want to save your money and check it out at your library once it was been released on DVD.

The Help

(This is not a spoiler!!!!  For those of you that have read the book you know what happens anyway.)  

Today I went to the movie..."The Help".  It was the release day for the movie based on the book by Kathryn Stockett.  My friend, Kathy, emailed that she would meet us on the back row of the theater around 12:30pm.  She is good to keep us up to date on all current movies.  We meet her on the back row.




Enough conversation...back to the movie...


I have been pondering how to review "The Help".  I have not read the book.  I know that it is a phenomenal success.  It has had a waiting list at our library since it was published.  I have one friend who was lukewarm after reading it and another who did not like it at all.  Kathy liked the movie better than the book...now that is a twist!


All this being said I had a hard time relating to this microcosm of society.  I had to keep in mind this is a movie so all stereotypical personalities were concentrated in a 1 1/2 hour movie.  It took me a few minutes to get into its rhythm.  

The acting was superb and it was fun seeing some old favorites appear in supporting roles: Cissy Spacek, Cecily Tyson, Mary Steenburgen.  

I feared that it would be a three-hankie movie, but I didn't even use the "just-in-case" Kleenex Kathy gave me. I was more involved in trying to figure out how I fit into the story since I lived in this time period.  


This movie gave me pause to think.  I was born in 1939 so I grew up in this era. Should I have known these people portrayed in the movie?  I do not remember knowing any white people like those in the movie. We never had any "help".  


My Mom and Dad had a cafe and we had "help" in the kitchen. Mattie was our meat and potatoes cook and Irene was the best pie baker in the world.  My Dad filled in where he was needed. I am sure Mattie and Irene had stories.  However, I was just a kid and was oblivious to everything except kid stuff.  

Mattie, my friend
Circa 1950

All I know is they were my friends at the cafe.  I filled in for my Mom at the register so they were my fellow workers.  Also, I ate every meal there and they cooked for me.  My mouth waters just thinking about Mattie's Chicken Fried Steak and Irene's cherry pie..my favorites!


Everyone should see this movie.  It will give you pause to think about where we were, where we are now and how we got there and where we will be in the future.  BTW you get a few laughs along the way, too!

Smokin' Seventeen

Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do not know how she does it! Janet Evanovich keeps writing the "Plum" series and I keep laughing. They are really a fast read, but pure fun.  Explosive Eighteen is to be released November 22, 2011.  Two in one year...yea!
And....
One for the Money, the first of the series, will soon be a movie to be released in January, 2012. Katherine Heigl is to play Stephanie Plum. The latest addition to the cast is Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur in spite of rumors that Betty White or Cloris Leachman would get the part.


Other members of the cast:

Joe Morelli: Jason O’Mara
Ranger: Daniel Sunjata

Lula: Sherri Shepherd

Vinnie Plum: Patrick Fischler

Connie: Ana Reeder

What fun!  I'll keep reading the series as long as I keep laughing.  Too many authors keep writing until they books are stale and boring. 

I say quit while you're ahead.

Hopefully, Ms. Evanovich  will know when she's ahead!

View all my reviews

One Special Night

Well, if you want to watch a "sappy" movie, this would be the one.  


Who could resist checking out a movie from the library that featured James Garner and Julie Andrews.  On top of that, a patron highly recommended it with the comment that it would make me smile...it did.  


However, before the smile came some rather unbelievable scenes that questioned my intelligence.  There were some redeeming scenes especially the happy ending.  I am always a sucker for a happy ending.  


It seemed to be engineered for TV.  There was a break every once in a while...maybe a commercial could be inserted.  I recommend you watch it if you want to "veg" for 90 minutes.

Stardust..a Movie

What entices actors like Robert deNiro and Michelle Pfeifer to make a "B" movie?  Money? Just something to do?  They financed it?  It is beyond me why either one of them chose to be involved with this movie. 

It was an okay, fantasy, escapist type of movie.  It was a based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. Believe me...nothing I would have paid money to see.  Maybe it was made especially for direct distribution to a Red Box. 

If I was Siskel or Ebert or David Edelstein (CBS Sunday Morning), I would give it a "thumbs down" ...or maybe I would never have watched it.  


However, it made do for night-watching when you were trying to stay await to watch the new Poirot on PBS.  


I did get caught up in the story and it met my criteria of a "happy ending".  So, if you are trying to stay awake for a late night show or just plain do not have anything else to do, this is a DVD to check out of your local library.  

It was a "Staff Pick" at mine.  I am going to find out whose "Staff Pick" it was when I go back to work on Thursday.  (Wow, I sound harsh, but I am not apologizing!)

Stone of Destiny, the movie

Playing catch-up -- I got behind when I went to California last month....


While we were there we saw a really good movie the night before we were to come home.  After packing we camped out in front of the TV.  My daughter has Netflix and we found it there...Stone of Destiny*.  It is an "Indie" film and is based on a true story.    It is the story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950's with his daring raid in the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotland.


I think you will like it!


*Robert Carlyle has a small part in the film.  I loved him as Hamish Macbeth on the BBC series of the same name.

These Boots Were Made For Walking...

I just watched the most delightful movie---Kinky Boots---based on a true story.   A drag queen comes to the rescue of a man who, after inheriting his father's shoe factory, needs to diversify his product if he wants to keep the business afloat.


It was recommended to me by my co-worker at the library.  In fact, the library has classified as a "Staff Pick".  
Good choice...it was a "feel good" movie.  I love "feel good" movies...so many of the recent world events don't feel good at all.  I recommend it to you...hope you'll feel good after watching it.

The Social Network

We just finished watching "The Social Network".   We rented it before the Academy Awards last night.  I was surprised that Blockbuster had a copy of the shelves.  In fact, I put my name in the queue at the library...105 people are ahead of me.  I can now remove my name. 


I am glad I watched it.  I am trying to decide if I liked it. It left me feeling sad....I don't like "sad".  I just decided...I didn't like it.  In fact, while I was watching it I thought "this is making me want to get off Facebook".  Of course, I won't.  I like connecting with friends and family through Facebook.  It's a "good thing"!


The acting was good...Jesse Eisenberg didn't win an academy award, but he made me believe in his character.  He was the only one of the cast nominated  for an award, Best Actor. It won for Best Original Score and Best Writing/Adapted Screenplay.


Justin Timberlake was good as Shaun Parker. 

I wasn't really impressed by Andrew Garfield as Eduardo. If the "real" Eduardo, was naive, then he did a great job.  Otherwise, his best scene was almost at the end, when he admitted he was naive in putting his blind trust in his friend.


Ah, it was just a movie.  We are never sure if the portrayal of real-life persons is how they really are...are we?  The portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg left me thinking him a pathetic jerk...even if, he is brilliant and one of the richest people in the world.  


Bottom line...I loved "The King's Speech"!

The King's Speech

I just watched "60 Minutes"!  The segment included an interview Colin Firth and his nomination for the movie "The King's Speech".  I have to tell you...tears are still in my eyes and I have just blown my nose!  I have already blogged about this movie, but I was overwhelmed with the "60 Minutes" segment.  




Number 1: I was alive when this was happening...beyond thinking about!  


Number 2: Scott Pelley, CBS reporter was shown actual documents of the interaction between the King, George VI and his therapist/friend, Mr. Logue.  The documents are in possession of Mr. Logue's grandson.  I wish I was in Scott Pelley' place.  I could feel myself there when he held a letter from the King...it was beyond my comprehension...therefore, the tears!  


I can hardly wait for the Oscars.  I actually saw the movie! ....more tears to come...I promise!

The Celestine Prophecy

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
                                                                   My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am always interested in "New Age" ideas and thoughts. I read this book in 1994.  It took me a while to find my summary of it.  It was in a journal begun in 1974 to which I add books, quotes, events meaningful to me and my life at that particular time.  I may go years without an entry. In fact, my last entry was in April, 2008.  
After watching the DVD I was prompted to post this book to Goodreads.com  It was not great art, but a good pictorial presentation of the material.  I would suggest it might be used in conjunction with your reading the book...and I do recommend the book to you.


Seventeen years later, it is interesting to reflect on the lasting impact it had on how I interact to events and people who cross my path. The one thing that stands out: "I pay attention to coincidences.  Things happen to us and people come into our life for a reason.  I try to find that reason.  It may be something I have to give to them. It may be something they will give to me."
It is also interesting to note that the message that came to me from watching the DVD was on a higher plain.  "Peace will come to my personal relationships or even entire world if each of us gives positive support/energy to the other...it's reciprocal.  If only one gives, there is not a balance or peace in a relationship".

I also read the Tenth Insight, but found it lacking.  My opinion:  it was trying to capitalize on the success of the first book and fell short.  I will have to revisit it...maybe my memory is what is lacking???  I have the Guide, but never wanted to immerse myself into this activity...and as I was adding these links to Amazon, I found there is an 11th and also a 12th Insight...who knew? I didn't and don't think I will know!

Snowed In....

From my door
Winter Snow 2011

I love to be snowed in...  

Down the hill...Winter 2000

We live on a "big" hill and I don't have an "essential" job that requires me to be at work! 








I have no excuses...except, plain procrastination:)  I will tend to "house" things that have been put on the back burner because the weather was too nice to be indoors! ....like working on my Blogs...oops how did that get on the list?  


I am focusing on my New Year's resolutions today:

1. Another item to throw out
I added No. 9 yesterday...eliminated 3 plastic bins of Christmas Decorations...donated two to Goodwill and one to my branch library to decorate the tree next year.

 2. Working on my "20-year" Quilt...
I'll work on this one while we watch a movie this afternoon.  I checked out "Hairspray" from the library last week when I heard the "snow" forecast.


and 
3. Actively Blog on my two other Blogs:
Tips 'n Good Stuff and Eating In and Out and About.


The good news---Chuck is painting the ceiling of a bedroom while I am "playing"!  Hooray for me!

The King's Speech

We went a movie yesterday...
The King's Speech
...not really knowing what to expect.  We thought we might be bored.  We were wrong.  It is a wonderful movie.  

Colin Firth, as Albert/
King George VI

and Geoffrey Rush, as Lionel Logue his speech therapist, gave outstanding performances.  After all, they are on the short list for an Academy Award. 

 I recognized Claire Bloom as Queen Mary, "The King's" mother, did you?

George VI

The movie was not only entertaining, but it was nostalgic for us.  

Wallis Simpson and
the Duke of Windsor

Albert was crowned King George VI in 1936 after his brother, David/Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. 

The film takes us to 1939, the year we were born, when Britain declared war against Germany.  George VI reigned as King until his death in 1952.  We were thirteen, too young to be interested in what was occurring in  Britain.  



Elizabeth, his oldest daughter, who was a child of ten in the film, succeeded to the throne upon her father's death.  Her coronation was the first to be televised in June, 1953.  




The rest is our living history.  It is now more clear after seeing The King's Speech.


Highly Recommended!!!  

Harry Potter-Deathly Hallows

Went to see Part I at the IMAX today.  When I left the theater, I thought that I should have watched "Harry and the Half-Blood Prince" before I came.  Also, thought maybe reading the book again would have helped me get into the flow of the movie.  It took me a few minutes to realize what was happening.  

I still can't remember all details about the Horcruxes.  





Ah, I just went to Wikipedia and have now refreshed my memory.


Before you go...you need to refresh!   

Warning:  There is no beginning segment that will give you a clue.

I am now ready for Part II...oops! 


It will not be released until July.  I'll be sure and refresh before I go!  Of course, I'll go see it...it's the last one!!!!