A Real Friend

This isn't about someone I know, but it is something I felt should be shared.

I stumbled across a video from ABC's Good Morning America that aired on Dec. 22. The story is about a man who gave up his job for a coworker who was targeted to lose his.

Grab a hanky. This will tug at your heart and bring tears to your eyes. And make you smile.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/HolidayTheme/story?id=6509844&page=1

Thanks to GMA and ABC for sharing this story.

Merry Christmas!

Whatever holiday season you may be celebrating -- Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Yule, Festivus, Winter Soltstice -- may the peace and joy of the season be with you and yours.

The Women

I saw this in the theater this past summer and decided it was a movie I'd like to have, so when it went on sale yesterday, I bought it. Last night Mallory, my youngest daughter, and I watched it. I've never read or seen the original play by Clare Booth Luce, nor have I seen the 1939 film, so maybe my fresh view makes me different. The comments on IMDB are vicious, and I'm not sure where they were coming from. I found it to be entertaining, especially the ending.

Mary Haines (Meg Ryan) and her friends have it all. Sylvie (Annette Benning) is the editor of a fashion magazine, Alex (Jada Pinkett Smith) is a successful writer, and Edie (Debra Messing) the ever-pregnant mother of four young daughters. But when Mary learns from Sylvie, who learned it from manicurist Tanya (Debi Mazar), that her husband is having an affair with a "spritzer" (perfume) girl at Saks, her world is turned upside down. Her first reaction is to kick hubby out of the house, which she does, but as time goes on, and she battles her feelings about herself, her marriage, and her realtionship with her mother (Candice Bergen), 11-year-old daughter, and friends, she starts caring about herself. In the end, she discovers that she can bring a fullness to her life and sets out to do it.

There are no men in this movie, just the women. It's not a hard-hitting, psychological trip, nor is it a madcap romp. It's entertainment, and that's what I was looking for three days before Christmas. Mary makes a statement near the end of the movie about how women can have it all...if they want it. To me, that's the difference between now and 1939. Personally, I embrace that difference.

Rent it first, just in case you find you don't like it.

An old, lost post, revived

With this being Christmas week, topics won't be posted on the usual day. I'm going to mix it up a little with the hope of posting more often, until after the holidays.

I posted the below back in July of 2005, but because of one of Blogger's transitions, it can't be accessed. I'm posting it again because it seems very appropriate for the season.

THINGS WE SELDOM THINK OF

(copied from a local neighborhood newsletter & posted here )

1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. If not for you, someone may not be living.

8. You are special and unique.

9. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

12. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you will get it.

13. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

14. Always tell someone how you feel about them. You will fell much better when they know.

15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Winter Solstice

Flurries?

Three inches of flurries. That's what I found when I woke up this morning. And there's more predicted for the rest of the week.

Yesterday's high temperature was 11. Would someone please tell Mother Nature that it's December in Kansas, not February?

I'll admit that the snow is beautiful...until it's time to drive in it. Last Tuesday we had a surprise snowstorm that garnered the city 650 vehicle accidents. I made five trips out during that day, from a two-mile round-trip to take one grandkidlet to school, to a thirty-mile round-trip to take one daughter to work. At least today we'll be down to to-and-from school trips.

For those who live in the white and wild northern states, bless you all. At least you become accustomed to driving in this "stuff". Around here, each snowfall is a new lesson in how to drive slowly and stop even more so. Of course the first snowfall is the worst. Drivers don't seem to retain their common sense from one winter to the next. Not that their memories are any longer a week later, but they do manage to cut the rate of accidents down some. Maybe by the end of the week, they'll have enough practice to slow down and watch out for the other guy...the one who slid through the red light or around the corner sideways.

Right now, spring is way too far in the future for my taste.

Holiday Birthdays

Thanks to my 16-month-old grandson, who hit the button to shut down my computer yesterday while I was posting the below, I'm finishing this on Tuesday.

Not only do we have the holidays to buy for and celebrate, but my oldest granddaughter's birthday, too. She'll be seven this year. She recently lost the second of her front teeth, so I downloaded the song "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth". She wasn't amused.

She was born three days before Christmas, and one would think that with so many things available at Christmas, finding a birthday present should be easy. It isn't. I've been having trouble finding something to get her, until I heard an ad on the radio for our local ice skating center's holiday ice show. With the possibility that she may take skating lessons in the spring, it's the perfect gift, and the whole family can enjoy it. Maybe next year, she'll be skating in it.

Was it luck or fate? It doesn't matter, because it was a blessing. Now, if the snow will just stay away...

Snow? ugh!

It's beautiful! It's fun to play in!

But it's dangerous to drive in, and kids tend to track in tons of it on their shoes.

So what do we have today? After 60+ degree weather? Why, snow, of course!

I have to figure in half again as much driving time when going somewhere. I even managed to hit the curb when trying to turn a corner. Not my fault. The driver behind me going up the hill just didn't want to back off, so when I went down the hill, with the corner at the bottom, I didn't slow down as much as I should have, thanks to the truck following so closely behind me. No biggie though. Just a bit of a bump, and I hope the driver understood that if my brake lights are on, along with my turn signal, I'm going to be turning, so keep a safe distance, unless you want to end up in my trunk. :)

But it was almost worth the yucky drive when I saw a house with 5 or 6 big blow-up decorations in the yard. The wind is blowing hard, so the snowman was dancing with the tree beside it, Santa had fallen on his side and couldn't get up, and Charlie Brown was doing push-ups. At least it gave me something to laugh about! And I did, at least for a block.

If your weather isn't the greatest, take care. Drive slowly and especially watch out for others who aren't able to get their car to stop sliding at a ride light.

Tomorrow it will all be gone. Believe me, one day if icky, slicky snow is enough for a while.

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

Wow. Gail and I spent a memorable evening at the ballet, performed at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Wichita. It was beautiful! So instead of me telling about it, see for yourself.

And another...

Fantastic!

Harlequin American Romance - December

Have a Holly Jolly Holiday with these books from Harlequin American!

Girl, Interrupted

An excellent, thought-provoking movie, based on Susanna Kaysen's acclaimed memoir-journal of her nearly eighteen months in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960's. In the movie, Susanna is played by Winona Ryder, but the Oscar win went to a young Angelina Jolie for her portrayal of one of the patients. This look into Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is fascinating, and Winona plays the part of the confused girl exceptionally well. Obviously, this is a very dark story, and, as always, Winona is the perfect dark and chaotic character. She knows there's something wrong, to the point of having attempted suicide, but she doesn't know what, and semi-willingly enters the hospital, hoping someone can help her, but secretly fearing they can't. Jolie plays LIsa, a sociopathic patient, who has escaped and is brought back immediately upon Susanna's arrival. They become friends, of sorts, but it's Lisa who leads Susanna astray to break rules and hinders her recovery. In the end, it is Susanna who makes Lisa see the truth in her self and others the truth in themselves.

I had seen the last few minutes of the ending of Girl, Interrupted while visiting my daughter one evening, then discovered it a few weeks later showing again on HBO. I was intrigued by those few minutes enough to watch it. I'm glad I did. It has been compared to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but I didn't see much of a connection, except for the setting of a mental hospital and the fact that the patients in both her often kept medicated. No Nurse Ratched in Girl, Interrupted. In fact, Whoopi Goldberg as Nurse Valerie Owen is the antithesis of Louise Fletcher's character, believing in Susanna and helping her to find her way.

Definitely worth watching. I hope to read the book in the not too distant future.

Bucket Lists

As I posted earlier, if you haven't seen The Bucket List, you should. It's the perfect time of year for reflecting on our lives, and this movie definitely make one think. Rent it, buy it, whatever it takes, do it.

I realized a few days ago that if I had a bucket list (those things you want to do before life's end), one of them would be something I'm going to do next Monday. My best friend since Jr. High and I are going to see the Moscow Ballet perform The Nutcracker Suite. I love listening to the symphony of this beautiful work at any time during the year, but especially at Christmas. Going to see the ballet performed has always been something I've wanted to do. When my girls were young, it always crossed my mind to take them to it, but the cost of 5 tickets was mind-boggling, so we never did. And, of course, I was certain they would all beg for ballet lessons afterward, if we'd gone. Maybe the time will soon come when I can take my granddaughters, and they can beg THEIR moms for lessons. (Is that wicked or what?)

I'm excited and looking forward not only to seeing this ballet and hearing the fabulous music, but to enjoying an evening out with my best friend. (There's a photo of the two of us almost fifteen years ago that I posted here on July 16.) Gail has just been through a very tough week, having lost her younger brother a week ago, just before Thanksgiving, and attending the funeral service. Having something special we can enjoy together will, I hope, make this time a little easier for her. It's our Christmas gift to each other. I can't think of a better gift than to spend time with someone close.

I'm wondering what else I might put on a bucket list, but I probably won't know until I actually get to do it. Besides, I have enough lists as it is.

Latest Book News

My September 2009 release has become an August 2009 release and part of Harlequin American's Men Made in America series. And it now has a new title! Stay tuned. There'll be more news about THE RODEO RIDER as time goes by and August draws nearer.

Considering we're expecting a bit of snow here tomorrow, August sounds good!

Happy After-Thanksgiving!

Whew! What a day, followed by what a weekend!

Our family Thanksgiving dinner waited until evening on Thursday, so everyone could be there. Everyone meaning all twelve of us. Traditional food for us includes the turkey, mashed potatoes (real, not instant) and gravy, corn, green beans, made-from-scratch macaroni and cheese, strawberry salad (angel food cake, strawberries, crushed pineapple, whipped cream), pumpkin and cherry pie, and cherry cheesecake, which really isn't, but it's close enough. Add the usual pre-meal celery, carrots, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, pickles, etc., and to say we were stuffed is an understatement.

But the best part of the day is just being together around the table. That always goes on into the late hours, so by the time we all returned to our respective homes, we were tired but happy.

And then comes the rush to Christmas...

I spent Black Friday finishing all but one item on my list, but although the crowds were still thick, I didn't get up at the crack of dawn (5 a.m.!) to do it. 9 a.m. was good enough for me, and I found more than the items on my list. Returning home, I hit the Internet and spent---well, more than I should have, but I know that what I got will bring smiles to all. A quick trip to check on a book at one of our local Barnes & Nobles (I had a 40% off coupon!), netted me zilch, but I was able to pick up an external CD drive for my new netbook (8.9' mini-notebook) for $15 less than I thought it would be, and I ordered the book online, complete with discount. Not bad for someone who didn't have a complete list the night before.

So with only one gift left to buy, I'm feeling relaxed and even bought the boxes, wrapping paper, and bows last night, ready to start wrapping BEFORE Christmas Eve. That'll be the first in a loooong time. Have I mentioned that I'm Queen of Procrastination?

I hope your Thanksgiving was fulfilling with a great dinner and surrounded by family and friends!

Let the Holidays Begin!

For me, Thanksgiving is the kick-off point for the holiday season. In only 4 weeks, it will be Christmas Eve, then we'll roll right into 2009. And so I sit here on the eve of Thanksgiving, while the turkey finishes thawing, knowing time is going to fly, and I've only just begun buying Christmas gifts. That could be because I don't know what I'll be giving everyone.

The one thing I don't want to do is rush the holidays. One of our local radio stations has been playing Christmas music for a couple of weeks. For me, that's too soon, but even one national chain store was playing the same only a couple of days ago. And, of course, with Christmas coming on quickly, I'll need to download a holiday ringer or two for my cell phone. After all, 'tis the season.

Tomorrow, after two of my daughters are done attending the Thanksgiving dinners of their "other" families, we'll all get together at another daughter's house for our own family Thanksgiving. Somehow this year, I'm stuck with preparing the whole meal, but it isn't a first, and I'll let them take on Christmas dinner.

There's a lot to be thankful for this year, even though we're expecting the economy to get worse before it gets better. I'm always thankful for my family, and everything else is secondary. I hope those reading this are in touch with their own families, whether in person, via a phone call or the internet. Just remember, Christmas really is right around the corner.

I'll go check on that turkey now...

Hair

Strange title, huh? Wait for it...



I've been buried in writing two synopses since Sunday, with no time for blogging or even real life. But last night, before going back to try to finish the synopsis deed today, I treated myself to a movie. What movie? you might ask. Check the title of this blog post.


I was a child of the 60's. Yes, that makes me old, as my daughters like to remind me. I remember when Hair debuted on Broadway, with it's unbelievable nude scene that lasted all of 20 seconds. That's right. 20 seconds. Of course, I didn't see it then. That was in April of 1968, and I was in high school at the time. Hair was made into a movie and debuted in 1979, but I was no longer in high school (thank goodness!), had married and was living in what we often refer to as "the sticks" or "out in the middle of nowhere". We didn't go to the movies much, and I never had the chance to catch it on satellite. (We were living out in the sticks, remember?)


So last night, I remembered that IMDB--yes, that website I keep touting--offers free movies to watch on computer. A few days ago, I'd noticed Hair was one of the movies offered, so I thought, why not? I knew the movie would be good, if only for the music. Who from my generation didn't like "Good Morning, Starshine", "Let the Sunshine In", "Easy To Be Hard", "Aquarius" (one of my all-time favorites) and, of course, the title song, "Hair", sung way back when by the Cowsills? (Remember them?) The movie was strange, it was fun, it made me laugh, and the ending took me totally by surprise. Treat Williams and John Savage were so YOUNG! But then I once was, too.

If you've never seen Hair or haven't seen it for a long time--I'm only almost thirty years late, but hey, I'm a late bloomer--you can see it, along with others, for FREE at IMDB.com. If nothing else, you can wax nostalgic for a couple of hours.


Enjoy!

An Educational Adventure in Space

Well, not really IN space, but close.

Because my oldest daughter and next to youngest daughter left Saturday morning for a one-day cruise, courtesy of Royal Caribbean and United Way, my oldest granddaughter Scarlett spent the weekend with us. My youngest daughter wanted to attend the second day of a school function 60 miles, so we started out on Saturday morning to make the trip, while her mom and aunt headed for the airport.

The trip wasn't bad, and we arrived to find the school get-together breaking up, but we were able to go to the pizza party. Afterwards, we drove to the Kansas Cosmosphere to decide exactly what we would do there and if we could get tickets for those activities. As it turned out, there were no problems with doing what we wanted to do, so we bought our tickets and began our Space Adventure.

The Kansas Cosmosphere is located in Hutchinson, Kansas, where the Kansas State Fair is held each fall. I've been to the Cosmosphere twice, but both times were several years ago and much improvement has been made.

From the Cosmosphere website:

"The Cosmosphere operates the world’s leading space artifact restoration and replication facility and is the only location designated by the Smithsonian Institution to restore flown U.S. spacecraft. Museums frequently contact the Cosmosphere for exhibit production and artifact restoration and replication."

Outside, we were greeted by a 107 foot Titan Rocket, stretching far above the building. Stepping into the building, we were amazed to find a SR-71 Blackbird hanging over our heads from the two-story ceiling. Our first item on the list was to see the IMAX movie, Fly Me to the Moon, the first ever animated movie created for 3D about three young houseflies that stow away aboard the Apollo 11 flight to the moon. It was cute and campy and filled with history of the 1969 flight and moonwalk. After it was over, we continued to the planetarium within the Cosmosphere, where we watched an interactive show about the night sky. (Maybe next time I look up at the stars, I'll be able to find a few constellations!) Then next it was on to Dr. Goddard's Lab, where we saw a live demonstration of early rocket technology in a replication of the 1930s lab of Dr. Robert Goddard, the pioneer of modern rocketry. Finishing up our day of space, we toured the museum, complete with restorations and replicas from space history, including a replica of the Bell X-1 Rocket Plane used in the movie The Right Stuff.

And they say Kansas is boring. If you're headed through our state and you or someone in your family is interested in space, do plan a stop at the Kansas Cosmosphere. It's definitely worth seeing, even for someone like me who was never interested in space. I really should have been. My dad worked at Boeing on the Apollo and Gemini missions. :)

Back on Track

I've been up to my ears in moving websites and finally finished the last of 9 yesterday. Not that anyone will notice any changes. Those are all "behind the scenes". But it has taken a huge chunk of time, and of that time, I had hoped to be blogging. It didn't happen. Add no school for the grandkids on Monday and Tuesday of this week, and it's been crazier than usual in our household.

It's time to get back on track, so I'll give it another try and hope that it works this time. With the holidays fast approaching, I'm not holding my breath.


I did manage over the past few weeks to watch a gift from my oldest daughter last Christmas. I'd been saving it, ready to savor each delicious episode.

According to Wikipedia, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which aired on NBC from September 18, 2006 to June 28, 2007, received mixed reviews. My review of it wasn't at all mixed. I loved it and give it a place on my all-time favorite TV shows. The talented cast, including Matthew Perry (Friends), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Amanda Peet, Steve Weber (the guy you often love to hate), Sarah Paulson, D.L. Hughley, Nathan Cordry, Timothy Busfield (Thirty-Something), and many more, gave this show the depth that isn't often reached in prime time television, thanks to its creator Aaron Sorkin. After watching the final episode of the 22 episodes, I couldn't help but wonder yet again why this show was canceled. (I heard it was more a political reason than anything else.) Studio 60 was nominated for Golden Globe, received two other wins and 11 nominations for various awards. With superb acting and writing, what went wrong? Too cerebral for a large number of viewers, who not much later turned to reality TV? I admit that sometimes it moved too fast to keep up with details. Sorkin takes a "walk and talk" attitude with his scripts, which means a viewer must keep on his/her toes. Watching it on DVD only strengthened my opinion on how good this show was and still is. I will watch it again, and probably yet again. After all, what's 931 minutes of time spent in enjoyment?

For information on any movie, TV show or actor, visit IMDB (Internet Movie DataBase). It especially comes in handy when you can't remember what you saw a particular actor on in the past, when a movie came out, and other tidbits and trivia. The boards are great to read, too!

Harlequin American Romance - November

Are you ready for some Christmas spirit?

Look for these GREAT books this month at your favorite store! And visit the Harlequin American authors blog. Post a comment for a chance to win books!

Moviies, TV, Politics, Halloween, and More

It's a busy time for a lot of people. Halloween is tomorrow and the big day that occurs every four years is just around the corner. Add the everyday stuff--colds and flu, plotting and writing, taking and picking up grandkids at school--and life is, as usual, crazy.

My youngest daughter will be going into the voting booth (do they still have booths?) this year for the first time. She's nineteen and couldn't care less about politics. So much so that when the rest of us talk politics--and believe me, we do talk politics...a lot--she rolls her eyes, sighs, and leaves the room. What can I say? We're a political family. She'll learn. How could she not? This year she will vote. Count on it. When someone asks her who she'll be voting for, she simply answers she'll vote for whomever Mom tells her to. It may take time, but she'll learn.

I voted in my first election in 1972, complete with a little mad-on that eighteen-year-olds were getting to vote and I'd had to wait until I was 21. (Yes, I'm over the age of fifty...by a few years. Do the math.) To be honest, I can't list who I voted for in all the "biggies", because I don't remember. I've been registered as both a Republican and a Democrat--at different times, of course. I didn't pay a lot of attention. To be honest, I didn't know there was a difference between the two parties, except they ran different people. A few years ago that changed. I pay attention now. There is a difference. It does make a difference to each of us, in one way or another.

I hope anyone reading this exercises their right to vote. My mother always told me that if you don't vote, you don't get to complain. Whether she was right or wrong about that, it doesn't matter. I believe it. So go out and vote on Tuesday!! And, no, I won't say who I'll be voting for. :)

Speaking of politics, my next to youngest daughter (she's twenty-four) and her guy took me to see Oliver Stone's W. last week. I was disappointed. Not in the acting. Josh Brolin did a great job as "Dubya", as did Richard Dreyfus as Dick Cheney, who looked like Cheney but sounded like Richard Dreyfus, and Scott Glenn as Rumsfeld. In fact, everyone in it did a terrific job. The problem with the movie for me was that it didn't have the punch that Stone's other movies have had. Renting it might have been the best option. I'll probably get it on DVD. It's a bit of history not to be forgotten.

Ah, television. How did people manage without it? It makes us laugh. It makes us cry. It puts us to sleep. I'm not one to go out and buy seasons of TV shoes on DVD. Okay, I do have the very first season of SNL. My youngest has the entire collection of every season of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer (which I wish I had time to watch, from beginning to end, but 7 seasons of it?? Have I mentioned that I adore Giles?), and I "bought" the first season of Mork and Mindy with Pepsi points on Amazon, so it was free. I love comparing that Robin Williams to the Robin Williams of today. Wow.

Add a new one to the list: The first season of Criminal Minds. I very rarely miss an episode, although I did last week because I was at the movie theater seeing W., and watching both at the same time just wasn't going to happen. Nor was I going to pass up seeing a movie for free! (Okay, I'd pass up A Clockwork Orange at any time.) When it comes to Criminal Minds, I'm hooked. I was hooked from the first show. I love Mandy Patinkin and have since I saw him in Yentl with Barbra Streisand. But it didn't take me long to become addicted to the others in the series. Who to start with? Hotch? JJ? Derek Morgan? Reid? (Penelope) Garcia? Prentiss? And even Joe Montegna as Rossi has grown on me. For me, Criminal Minds is one of the very best on TV right now. Although I've enjoyed CSI (the original) and all three Law & Orders, CM beats them, hands down. It took me over a week of watching the 6 DVDs in the evenings and late into the night (like tonight) to see all twenty-two episodes of the first season, but it was worth it, and will be worth it again to watch them over and over. I don't think I could ever tire of watching the intricacies of the human mind, whether the criminal mind or that of the captors. It's fascinating. It's thought provoking. It's the only show this season that I can remember to watch. Am I a fan? I'll leave that up to you. :)

With luck, I'll be back again tomorrow. And Monday. And throughout the week. But I learned long ago not to make promises I might not be able to keep. Life sometimes does get in the way.

Harlequin American Romance - October

This month's offerings from Harlequin American Authors...

What a great month to visit the HAR Authors blog! Read guest bloggers Barbara Bretton, HAR senior editor Kathleen Scheibling, and today's guest blogger, Debbie Macomber.

New Addition

We have a new addition to our family. No, not a baby. Her name is B.J., and she's a 2 1/2 year-old Bassett Hound. She's not exactly new to us. She had belonged to my daughter, who had to give her away, and we were the happy recipients!

B.J. is about as laid back as a dog can get. Last night, her first evening at our house, she wasn't interested in our two tortoishell calico cats, Tosca and Mocha, who decided to stalk her. Both would sit on the nearest piece of furniture, out of reach, and stare at her, keeping her from moving past them. It made for some almost tense moments when B.J. wanted to move to another room. Tosca, the oldest, didn't seem to mind when she would finally get up the nerve to pass by. They even checked each other out, with no repurcussions. I expect they'll be friends in a week or so. Mocha, on the other hand, didn't take to B.J. quite as well. Stalking was okay, but when we tried to get Mocho to investigate the invader a little more closely, her tail grew and she hissed. I don't expect them to become friends very quickly.

I was awakened this morning by a fast wagging tail in my face. My daughter (B.J.'s former mistress) had arrived to drop off two of her three children. B.J. was obviously excited to see them, but the only indication of that was that tail in my face. She was off the bed in seconds, as soon as she heard their voices when they came through the door, but the sad eyes of a Bassett never changed, just that wagging tail and a friend "woof" to greet them.

So "woof" to all of you this sunny Monday morning! Let's all hope this week brings all the sunshine and good will of a perfect autumn day.

What a Week!

My intentions were good, but as I've always said, if the road to hell is paved with good intentions, mine is a six-lane super highway. I had planned to get back on a solid blogging schedule, but this was the week that three grandkids came down with croup, one of which only went to school half days on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and one didn't go at all (half-day pre-K) on those days. Then the fourth, the oldest granddaughter had a tooth pulled. Add the cold (or was it croup) that my youngest came down with, and nearly nothing was accomplished. So good intentions and all that went by the wayside.

With nothing to watch on TV this evening until 10 p.m., I skimmed through the cable listings and saw August Rush listed. I'd never seen it and had thought when viewing the trailer months ago that it might be interesting. Not interesting enough to see in the theater, but watching on cable might be worth waiting for. I watched it. It was highly emotional, and although it needs a strong dose of suspending disbelief, due to the fairy tale/magical element of the story, it was worth the time to watch. I missed the middle of it, due to family demands, but even that didn't keep me from getting caught up again in the end of it.

From Internet Movie Database: (warning! spoiler!)
Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) is a brilliant cellist who has just finish performing a concert in New York City. Lyla goes out on the town with her girlfriend and end up at a party near New Yorks Washington Square. She meets Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) an Irish guitar player. They share the love of music and end up falling in love and bonding together that night. It was the most wonderful night in Lylas life. Lyla must rush back to the hotel where her father Thomas (William Sadler) is waiting for her. Lyla promised to meet Louis in Washington Square, but her father forces her to go to her next concert. They are like two ships that pass in the night, never to see each other again, except for the fact that Lyla is now with child. Sadly, Lyla is in a car accident and the unborn child is lost. Eleven years pass and Lylas father is on his death bed, and he must tell her the truth that he secretly gave Lylas baby boy up for adoption. August Rush (Freddie Highmore) is her child, who was born with the gift to hear music all around him. He believes that he will find his parents if they only hear his music, because they are truly bonded by their music. Douglas Young (the-movie-guy)

There's a lot more to this movie, and as I mentioned above, it is emotional. If written as a book, most editors would say the story was too contrived, but that's where the suspension of disbelief comes in. It was beautifully done, in its own way, and I plan to find the time to watch it from beginning to end as soon as I can. It may become part of my DVD collection, but that remains to be seen. All in all, it's a good movie that's worth the time to see.

Back to Normal

I'm finally getting back to normal...whatever "normal" is. As of yesterday, the final copy of Taming Kate is winging its way to my editor. "Final" isn't quite honest, though. Once a book is turned in, it goes through a few more incarnations, including copy & line edits and later, author alterations. But for now, it's done. Hooray!

As far as "normal" goes, we haven't been having normal weather here in Kansas for quite some time. After a wet summer, we're having a very wet fall. The year has been so wet that forecasters expect 2008 will surpass 1951's 50.48 inches as Wichita's wettest year ever. But at least the weather has cooled off enough that we can turn off the AC and open the windows. Nights have been in the 40's. Great sleeping weather, but not so good for waking up. It's a bit chilly in the morning and requires a snuggly robe before donning long sleeve shirts or even sweatshirts and jeans. I'm just thankful we were able to get our lawn mowed before the rain we've been experiencing for the past three days hit.

Now that life has slowed down a little, I hope I'm able to get back to my blog schedule. It's definitely worth a try, so check back tomorrow!

VOTE!

Yes, it's that time of year again, when we're hit with a barrage of political ads, articles, conventions, and debates. It will be over soon, and life (TV and newspaper) will get back to normal. But when it's all done, how many of us will be able to say that we exercised our right to vote?

Thursday night, I tuned into HBO to watch one of their very excellent HBO Movies. This particular one had an impact that was expected but hard to describe.

Iron Jawed Angels is a movie about the struggle over the right of women to vote, known as women's suffrage. The majority of us take that right for granted, because all but a few of us have always had it and don't remember how women fought for it for years. The movie takes place in the early 1900's, deftly explaining the history of women's suffrage which began with the National Women's Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869, as it moves on to the height of the battle. Hillary Swank does a superb job portraying activist Alice Paul. Frances O'Conner is Lucy Burns, her gung-ho best friend. Add Angelica Huston as Carrie Chapman Catt, Molly Parker as Emily Leighton (wife of Sen. Thomas Leighton), and Julia Ormond as Inez Millholand, and the acting is superb. Oh, and for the Grey's Anatomy fans, McDreamy (Patrick Dempsy) also has a role as Ben Weissman, a Washington Post illustrator who falls for Alice.

The story is fascinating throughout, but it's toward the end when we really see how passionate these women were to have their right to vote. As many as 214 were jailed in a workhouse for picketing the White House and President Woodrow Wilson. The charge? Impeding the flow of traffic, the only thing they could find to charge them with.

Here's HBO's blurb about the movie.

They had no vote, no political clout and no equal rights. But what they lacked under the law, they made up for with brains, determination and courage. Oscar(R)-winner Hilary Swank (1999's Boys Dont Cry) stars in this inspirational true story of two defiant and brilliant young women who dared to make a stand for women's rights--and wound up shaping the future of America. Oscar(R)-winner Anjelica Huston (1985's Prizzis Honor), Frances O'Connor, Molly Parker, Julia Ormond and Patrick Dempsey co-star in this stellar production that boasts the daring directorial style of Katja von Garnier (Bandits) and a pulsating modern music score from artists including Lauryn Hill, Vertical Horizon and Sarah McLachlan.

If you have HBO, don't miss this movie! You can find the schedule for it at http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&FOCUS_ID=614929. And if you don't have HBO but would like to see it, you may be able to rent it or it can be purchased at Amazon.

And don't forget to vote on November 4th!!

Update

Considering that I've been MIA for more than a couple of weeks, I'll try to do some catching up.

My oldest daughter and next to youngest daughter are busy with details on their upcoming November cruise. They'll fly from here to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, stay overnight, then take a one-day cruise, compliments of Royal Caribbean. If only I could go along...

We've been busy getting youngest daughter up to par with dental visits (4 times in just over a week, and the last visit today) and a vision check up for new glasses. She is SO looking forward to getting it all over with!

The reason for my absence can be blamed on the above and working toward the deadline on Taming Kate, the second book set in the fictional town of Desperation, Oklahoma. This has been a day and night effort and has taxed my brain to the max, as we decided to make some changes throughout the book. But it's finally done and put aside for a few days before a final "polish" and trip to my editor via USPS. Hooray!

On the Book News front, Tanner's Prize, the first book set in Desperation, will be released in September 2009. As time goes by, I'll post some information about both. Taming Kate is currently expected to be released in early 2010. If all goes well, there will be more stories from Desperation. The town, not the emotion. ::grin::

More tomorrow!

Everyone Needs a Laugh

I've been a Saturday Night Live fan since the very first show, which aired on October 11, 1975 with special host George Carlin. That first show is still funny enough to make me laugh when I watch it on DVD.

No matter what your political persuasion, a major campaign season means trying to maintain a sense of humor in the midst of insanity. Over the past 30 years, SNL has given us some of the best Presidential skits ever done. But with the latest, they may have outdone themselves. Everyone, right, left, and in the middle laughed and chuckled and praised the opening sketch with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton. If you saw the sketch then or have seen it since online, enjoy it again. If you haven't seen it, now you'll know what everyone has been talking about for the past three days. Enjoy!

Keeping an Eye on the Sky...

...and on the weather channel.

It was, by far, not the best weekend for our friends along the east coast of Texas. Because I was away from home for the weekend, I wasn't able to keep track of Hurricane Ike, but I did hear and read some accounts, and my heart goes out to everyone, including those who left their homes and those who stayed behind. But not only did Ike wreak havoc and devastation on many parts of Texas, "he" left his mark along a path that left people in other states to deal with rain and flooding, terribly high winds, and loss of power. When I returned home yesterday, I checked the national radar and discovered Ike had made it all the way to the Great Lakes area. I heard Cincinatti and Columbus, Ohio were both without power, and included other areas of the state.

We were lucky here in Kansas. Our 10 inches of rain came before Ike reached land, causing flooding and taking lives. By Saturday morning, when Ike was moving on from Texas and we had been warned of high winds and more rain, I awoke to sunny skies and a beautiful autumn day. We were lucky, but so many others weren't.

For those in Texas who left their homes and belongings behind, I pray their return won't be as horrible as they may think it might be. I also pray this will be the last of the hurricanes to touch our country and all others for a long, long time.

Two Weeks

Two-time Acadeny Award winner Sally Field delivers a "flawless performance" (TV Guide's Movie Guide) in this bittersweet dramatic comedy about one family's determination to stay together till the very end.

Four grown siblings return home to their terminally ill mother's house for what they think are her final few days. When she hangs on, they find themselves stuck uner the same roof for two difficult weeks. But as the children come to terms with their grief, they discover laughter in the midst of sorrow, love in the face of anger, and an opportunity to gain new perspective of their own lives.

The above summary is from the back of the DVD case. It's all I had to go on when I noticed the movie in the "dump bin" ($5 rack) at a local store. I've always like Sally Field. From TV's Gidget and The Flying Nun to Places in the Heart, Norma Rae (both Oscar winners for Best Actress), Sybil and countless others, she has never failed to give an outstanding performance. One of her most memorable scenes was in Steel Magnolias where her character M'Lynn strikes out against the injustice of her daughter's death.

I should have known this movie would have me in tears. The story is interspersed with scenes of Keith, played by Ben Chaplin, ( Sam Kennedy - Murder by Numbers and Brian - The Truth About Cats & Dogs) video taping interviews with his mother (Sally Field), prior to the arrival of hospice. We get a peek into a mother's love for her children, her hopes for them, her disappointments in even herself. One scene, when her best friend since childhood comes to visit was especially touching and emotional.

But the movie also has touches of comedy, lightening the mood as the siblings work through their mother's coming death and their own lives. Julianne Nicholson as Emily (Detective Megan Wheeler - "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and Christina Finn - "Conviction"), Tom Cavanagh as Barry (How to Eat Fried Worms - Dad and "Scrubs" - Dan Dorian), and Glenn Howerton as Matthew ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" - Dennis Reynolds (also writer, producer), Must Love Dogs - Michael, "ER" - Dr. Nick Cooper, and "That '80's Show" - Corey Howard) were all superb as the sons and daughter.

I won't say that Two Weeks is a must see for everyone. There are some who may not handle the subject well. But for me, it was an outstanding movie that made me cry and laugh, but also made me think about end of life issues. It was a wonderful, thoughtful movie, and I'm glad I bought it and watched it.

Where am I?

What with Labor Day falling so early in the month and grandkids out of school for it and the next day, finding the few minutes to blog last week was impossible. This week hasn't been much better. Therefore, I am lost.

Should I add that I've been "polishing" the second of two books that I hope will be coming out next year? Taming Kate has been a joy to write, and the time is near to package it and send to my editor. But before that can be done, it must have a complete read-through. That means looking for any and all typos, wrong words used, and funky (it's the only correct word in this case) continuity. There have been plenty of each. It's amazing how much the mind can skip over mistakes, after being "inside" the story for months. It takes stepping back into the real world for a few weeks, so the story can be read with a fresher eye. Sometimes that fresher look can be eye-opening. In the end, it will be well worth the time spent, both for me and for the reader.

So excuse me for missing so many days. I plan to be back on schedule tomorrow and ready to share.

Sixteen Candles

I was well past the age of 16 the first time I watched Sixteen Candles, but I still rank it in the top ten (or even five) of my favorite movies. We (my daughters and I) have seen this movie so many times, we know it line by line. I haven't watched it recently. I don't have it on DVD, but it tops the list to get next month when it will be (re)released. I chose it today because we were playing the movie game of Scene It, and one of our favorite scenes came up as a question. "Married?" "Married."

Average girl gets THE guy. Not just the guy she has a thing for, but THE guy. And what a guy! Jake is a dream. Not only is he a hunk and a half, but, except for his choice of "current" squeeze in the movie, he has some sense. He's growing up and seeing that a pretty face and a cute body do not a relationship make. It's clear that he has at least a slight interest in Samantha.

What's a girl to do when her parents forget her sixteenth birthday? Samantha's older sister is getting married, and the family has blown off, not only her birthday, but her very existence. And all she really wants is a little recognition of her day and Jake. But Jake is a senior and Sam only a mere Sophomore. It's an "in your dreams" kinda thing.

The dialogue is not only snappy, but priceless. The ultimate teen movie. And for romance lovers, it has that HEA (Happily Ever After) we all look for.

If you haven't seen this movie, you need to. It will take you back to the time of crushes and broken hearts. There's an underlying poignancy in each of the characters, not just Sam and Jake, but even the minor characters, The Geek, Long Duk Dong, and all the rest. John Hughes knows TEENS. Or at least he did with this and his other teen hits, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. (And, yes, Molly Ringwald was in each...one of the Brat Pack.) All are worth viewing more than once.

The Gold of Friendship

First, I'd like to congratulate my friend Lisa Childs on her upcoming October book, Always a Bride, and the Romantic Times Top Pick review! Always a Bride is the fourth and final book of her Wedding Party series for Harlequin American. And what a great series!

Today is my best friend's birthday. She will now be caught up with me, number-wise. After the age of thirty, birthdays become more of a nuisance than anything, reminding us that youth has been left far behind with bodies that were once more agile and less wrinkle-free than now. Sooner than we expect it, we hit the big 5-0 and then quickly move to the even bigger 6-0. Don't ask me why they're bigger. No one really cares after 30 anyway.

But with age comes wisdom. The mind stays alert, and we're still able to learn new things. We have the advantage of having learned from our mistakes, and even though mistakes can and will be made, they're fewer and less major. We don't tend to risk as much, and we expect people to accept us for who we are. Yes, even our family.

Another friend (Kathie DeNosky) sent me the following, and I'd like to share it. No matter what your age, whether perky 20's or the golden years of later, it says it all.

Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother/father!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with ageing.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when some body's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, I don't mind being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GAIL! (And to Dr. Steve, too!)

Happy Birthday Time

It's hard to believe a year has gone by so quickly. My youngest grandson turned one-year-old yesterday, naturally prompting a family get-together and pictures. Because I couldn't decide on just which pic was best, I created a slideshow on Slide.com. He just wasn't quite sure what to do with that birthday cake! Hope you get a giggle out of it.

A Little Off-Topic...

I've just "outed" myself as a romance author on a local newspaper blog where I frequently post. I won't say where or what it is, because I admit that I'm not always as polite and generous as I should be when posting. It sometimes does get heated, and there's just no sense making someone reading here angry for a dumb reason. But my writing and publishing is not always something I want to make "public" in the sense that I go around telling people. For one thing, "romance" for some people means "smut". I don't agree, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I consider reading tastes--likes and dislikes--free choice. Read it if you like it, don't if you don't like it. I won't twist your arm to tell you about my books, but if you ask, I'll give you whatever information you want. Simple.

WHY I WRITE ROMANCE
I write romance because I like to READ romance. Not the sex, per se, although sex is often a part of romance and relationships, but because I like the uplifting feeling when two people have overcome odds and come together as a couple in love. It's that HEA (Happily Ever After) that will make me sniff with a happy tear or two, or sigh with the smile of satisfaction that comes from a well-written book, when all is said and done.

But I'm also a bit jaded. I know that what I write--what all romance authors write--is "fantasy". People don't meet, fall in love and so easily resolve whatever conflicts they might have in 80,000 words or less. Once the wedding and honeymoon are over, real life takes over, and we all must continue resolving conflicts throughout the rest of the relationship. Or hopefully resolve them, anyway. But it's nice to close the book, smile, and think maybe THIS one will make it, or maybe not even think of that at all, just revel in the enjoyment the story gave me.

While at Barnes & Noble buying books today, I was asked by the clerk who was checking me out if I was a writer. (When you're buying a How To Write Romance Book, written by a NY editor and a reference book on synonyms, it does raise the question!) Now, usually, I'll say yes and feel embarrassed. Today I added that, yes, I am, and that I write for Harlequin American. She said, "That's neat!" I said, "It's a job,". I smiled and shrugged. What I should have added was that it's a job I enjoy, and I feel tremendously blessed that my books have been chosen to to be published. It IS a dream, and one that I never thought was possible, and I'd be hard pressed to give it up. In fact, I don't think I ever could give it up, until my mind is completely toast and I don't have the faculties to put coherent words on paper. I believe most of my writer friends feel the same. We can't not write.

WHAT I LIKE TO READ
Well, I like to read romance. I also like to read True Crime. Horror. Biographies. Suspense. Historicals. Even Self-Help. And the list goes on. I'm an eclectic reader, although my oldest daughter is even more so than me. I like books that make me laugh, make me cry, make me think. Books that surprise me or make me feel at home within their pages. I LIKE BOOKS!!

Whatever you're currently reading--and I hope you ARE reading something!--I hope you're enjoying it, no matter what the genre. Reading is like stepping into another world. Books can take a reader places they have never and may never actually experience. Books can give a reader insight into his or her own life and maybe make things better. And as they say in the grade schools, READING IS FUN! I'll just add, TRY SOME TODAY!

Love and Hugs to all the readers out there, no matter what your taste!

A Must See Movie

When The Bucket List came out on video, I wasn't sure whether to buy it for my collection or not. I didn't. It was a bad decision.

I expected Morgan Freeman to be good, and I like Jack Nicholson, although I feel Jack plays "Jack" in every role. I was surprised to discover he went beyond himself in this movie, and it was more than worth sitting down for the 97 minutes of thought-provoking enjoyment it gave me. It's more than a movie about two older men, more than a movie about dying. It's a movie about dreams and joy and taking a look at your life and daring to take the risk to do the things you've always wanted to do. But when you have 6 months to live, how big is the risk? It can be big.

Whether you do it tonight, whether you do it in a few months, see this movie.

Friendship

It would be almost impossible to get through life without friends. No, it would be impossible. Friends are the sunshine of my life. They're there when I need a shoulder to cry on, advice, or to share the latest joy. I hope I do the same for them. I try.

With the advent of the internet, friendship has taken a new direction. When I was in school, I had several pen pals. Remember them? A few were former classmates I kept in touch with after moving to a new town, another was in Alaska, and there was another in the Netherlands. I thought my world was broadened as much as possible! I was wrong. Now I have friends all over the U.S. and the world, and at the click of a button--and without sticking on a stamp--it's almost like being there.

Without email and the internet, I don't know if I'd be writing, and since I love writing, that wouldn't be good. The internet put me in touch with others who had the same dreams and goals. Kathie DeNosky (Desire author) was one of the first writers I met online. It didn't take us long to become friends. We're both crazy as loons! We met in person in Dallas, TX at RWA's national conference in 1996 and not only became critique partners, but the very best of friends.

A group of writing friends began to form and grow. In 2001, half a dozen writer friends created a Yahoo group to stay in touch. We called ourselves the Ditzy Chix, the name saying it all. Our numbers have increased and decreased in the seven years since then, but we're staying steady at ten now. All of us live in the eastern half of the U.S. Except for Bronwyn Jameson, our favorite Aussie. We're always there for each other to share the triumphs and defeats of life, and although we've never all been able to get together at one time in person, it doesn't change our friendships. If you'd like to get to know my friends better (and who wouldn't!), you can check us all out on the Ditzy Chix website. You may find you already "know" some of us. Feel free to drop us an email to say hi. We love hearing from new (and old!) friends!

Email: The next best thing to being there.

Back to Back-to-School

It's here! The first day of a new school year. Okay, last Thursday was officially the first day here, but it's now sinking in, and I'm already loving it!

Earlier this morning, I blogged on the HAR blog about my fondest memory of my daughters' first day of school, when my then youngest Chelsea (#3) cried from disappointment when rain and flooding kept her from going to school that first day of kindergarten. Things have changed. We no longer have to drive fifteen miles (20 minutes) to school from our home on the farm. It's a quick less-than-ten-minute trip to school and back to take and bring the oldest granddaughter--now in first grade!--and on city streets, not muddy country roads.

I spent yesterday getting lined out for the year, cleaning my office and moving the baby's playpen where he takes his naps into my bedroom, giving him more floor room for crawling and climbing and playing. I like to keep him close by to be sure all is well. I can't say the office is still in the best of shape, but it's getting there, and I'll continue to do little by little, filing papers and sorting and tossing, probably until the end of time.

What I should have been doing is writing, or more correctly, editing, on a book due October 1. I'm excited about both books that will hopefully be coming out sometime next year. These stories were begun ten years ago and have gone through several incarnations during that time, searching for the right words and the right home. But this second, with the working title of Taming Kate, has always been one of my favorites, and I'm excited to finally know I'll be seeing it in print soon.

This year the oldest grandson will be starting pre-K, and I'm especially eager to see how he does. The two older girls are now in first grade and all-day kindergarten, and the younger of them will be riding the bus from home. It still means three trips of dropping off and picking up, but I should be used to that. We did that daily throughout the week each school year when my girls were little, until they were all finally in school full days. At least the trip to school and back is now much shorter! When I stop long enough to think about it, that was a long time ago, and they've all grown up to be wonderful young women, two of them with children of their own. How very blessed I am!

I've always loved the beginning of the school year. I especially remember the year, probably first grade, when I had a book bag, packed and ready at least a week before school started with new pencils and crayons. It wasn't a backpack like kids use now, but a satchel. Blue plaid, as I remember, with buckles and pockets and zippers. And new clothes to go with it! Each year, through fifth or sixth grade, my parents took movies (those old 8mm kind) of me walking down the porch steps and out to the car on the first day. Maybe soon I'll find those movies and watch them, laughing at the clumsy nine-year-old pigtailed and bespectacled girl, tripping (literally) down the steps while she carried the family daschund with her to climb into the big blue Chevy station wagon.

I always looked forward to that first day each year, not only the early years, but throughout all thirteen. There's something about school starting that was exciting. Maybe it was the promise of something new happening (boys!) and time spent all day with friends, in class, on the playground, and walking the halls between classes. I dont' remember that "learning" had all that much to do with it, but there was some of that, too. It was a time of freshness, of new beginnings, and it carried over even when my own girls had their first days and to now with the grandkids.

So today and for many days following, I'll have a smile on my face, remembering those special days, when being young meant the excitement of a new school year and the special times it promised. I hope my grandkids have the same happy memories, just as my daughters and I do.

Happy Back To School!

Changes

I'd planned to keep up with my blogging schedule this week, but life doesn't always go as we plan. I should have known. This week has been stressful in several ways.

School started in our neck of the woods yesterday. With 3 grandkids now in school, we'll be doing some choreography and making sure the calendar keeps updated so nobody is forgotten or ends up at school on a NO school day. For instance, oldest granddaughter's first day of first grade was yesterday. Other granddaughter's first day of kindergarten (all-day) is today, but she didn't have to go yesterday, nor will she go on Monday. Oldest grandson will start Pre-K on the 25th (the day after his baby brother's first birthday), skip a day, then start going full time on the 27th. It won't take us long to get in the groove, and I've learned to set the alarm on my cell phone to remind me it's time to leave to take or pick up one or the other. By October, it'll be automatic. I hope. :)

It's official. I have asthma, and it's been kicking my butt. Monday wasn't bad at all, and I thought all would be well. Wrong. It's been bad since Tuesday, and I went to Immediate Care (again) today to be told this will now be ongoing. No fair. Except for earaches as a child, I've been healthy. Getting older is the pits. :(

Quick updates: I'm about to finish reading Kristin Hannah's Summer Island. It's been great for taking my mind off not being able to breathe, so way to go, Kristin! No movies lately. I'm on a book deadline, so evenings must be spent writing. Reading books gets wedged in there when possible. There hasn't been time for fun, and only a small bit for friends, which will be fixed soon. All in all, things are normal here. :) I hope things are normal (or even wonderfully extraordinary!) for youo and yours.

Not A Movie, But...

On a lark and needing a fix for some comedy, I bought the first season of Mork & Mindy. I'm glad I did, because time hasn't changed what's funny.

For anyone not familiar with Mork & Mindy, this television sitcom rocketed comedian Robin Williams to stardom. It debuted in 1978 and co-starred Pam Dawber. The comedy is timeless and pure Robin Williams.

Wikipedia says this:

It became famous for Williams' use of his manic improvisational comedic talent. Williams would make up so many jokes during filming, the scripts eventually had specific gaps where Williams was allowed to perform freely. In many scenes, Pam Dawber had to bite her lip to avoid laughing and
ruining the filming.

I don't plan to buy more seasons. This will keep me smiling for a long time.

San Francisco and the Ditzy Chix

Although I would have loved to have visited San Francisco again (it's been over 30 years!), the cost of airfare, hotel, and time just wasn't within my budget, so I wasn't able to attend RWA's annual conference this year. Of course that didn't stop those of the Ditzy Chix who did attend. Thanks to technology, those who stayed home and those who didn't were able to keep in contact via a phone call or two and email. The one thing they agreed on was that San Francisco can be cold in August!


Those Ditzy Chix who were able to attend were (in photo at right) Carol Stephenson, Bronwyn Jameson, Lisa Childs, Kristi Gold, and (not in photo) Roxanne Rustand. There are a few more photos from SF or check out all the photos from past conferences.


And for an extra special treat, visit Carol Stephenson's blog for a photo journal of Napa Valley and a hot air balloon ride!

Movie or Book First?

I'm sure everyone deals with this dilemma once in a while. A good book (a GREAT book) comes out, shortly followed by the movie. Or maybe a good movie comes out, and you learn the story was originally a book.

Because I'm still reading The First Wives Club after watching the movie...again...I started thinking about all the movies I've seen and have also read the book. I admit that it used to bother me, as if it was a RULE that I had to choose which was better. And to tell the truth, most of the time the book wins out. But sometimes I can't choose, and so there's a tie.

An example of a tie would be Gone With the Wind. I saw the movie for the first time in high school (196?) and loved it. I read the book much later and loved it. I can't pick between the two, because both are excellent and offer different things. For instance, I can't imagine anyone playing any of those roles except the actors/actresses who did them. But if I'd read the book first, without knowing anything about the movie, I wonder how I would have imagined the characters. I doubt Rhett would have resembled Clark Gable in my mind. :)

And that's really the question. Is it better to see the movie first or read the book first? In most cases of book-turned-movie, I've read the book first. GWTW and To Kill a Mockingbird are two exceptions, and with both, I can't choose which is better. I assume most readers are like me and have a picture in their mind of what the characters look like. When a movie is made, there's no way to match the mental pictures of the millions of readers. Tom Hanks would never have been my choice for Robert Langdon in the Da Vinci Code, even when I tried to envision him while I read the book a second time before I saw the movie. But he did a good job and I was able to forget my prejudice during the movie.

Then there are all the things that are left out or changed when the movie is made, usually because of time restrictions. My youngest daughter is a Harry Potter fan and has her own opinions on the more recent movies. Because I've only read the first of the HP books, I don't have the problems she has when seeing the movie. She's noticing all the things that are "wrong" or not there. I'm just watching the movie and trying to make heads or tails of a few things. But she's never turned down the opportunity to see the movie. :)

So which is it? Movie first or book first? You choose.

Am I Losing My Mind?

My youngest daughter was diagnosed with GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) a few years ago. It was a relief to finally have an answer to why she had so much trouble attending school, even though she really wanted to, and unable to deal with new situations or even go shopping without somone she knew and trusted being with her. Because of her GAD and the panic attacks that go with it, we've been searching and searching for a way for her to finish earning her high school diploma without going the GED route and without costing a small fortune.

We finally found it this summer when I heard an ad on the radio for Insight School. It's an accredited online school, currently available to students in seven states, where she'll earn the credits she needs for graduation and a real diploma, just as if she were in a traditional school. The fun but also difficult part was choosing the courses she would be taking, starting this fall. Besides the usual core subjects required, she needed several electives, and she wanted to take a foreign language. Her choices were Spanish, French, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese. Yes, you read that right. Mandarin Chinese.

I've taken both Spanish and French, but am probably more familiar with French, so that would have been my first choice. Besides, I like the way it sounds. :) She wasn't so sure she wanted to do that, so I suggested Latin might be a good choice, since most Romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese) are Latin-based, as are many English words and science words. She agreed.

She agreed?! Oh, my! While I could have helped her some with Spanish or French, I'm not all that familiar with Latin. Okay, I did attend Mass as a child when it was still spoken in Latin, and I might recognize a word or two, but I don't consider that much of an education. I guess I'll be learning Latin, right along with her. But maybe that isn't such a bad thing. It won't hurt me to stretch my brain a little. Or a LOT.

If you live in Kansas, Colorado, Nevada, California, Minnesota, Oregon, or Wisconsin and are looking for an alternative to traditional schooling for your high school student, you might want to look into Insight. I'll continue to blog now and then about this new adventure and keep readers updated on how it's working out.

Have a GREAT week!

Harlequin American Romance - August

If Home, Family, and Romance is your cup of tea, you should be reading Harelquin American Romance.

First Wives Club Part Deux

Yesterday I mentioned that I'd read The First Wives Club before the movie came out. Copyright on the book is 1992, while the movie came out in 1998. This can lead into a discussion on which is better, to read the book first or to see the movie first, but that will come at a later date and time. :)

If you've seen the movie and decide to read the book, expecting to find them much the same (as much as that can or can't be), you'll be disappointed. They're almost two different stories. I happen to like both. But before I go on, I need to say that I haven't finished this (second) reading of the book, and am only half-way through it. My memory of the first read is definitely hazy, so I'll focus today on the first half of the book.

Annie, Elisa, and Brenda attended a private boarding school in NY as girls. They weren't necessarily all good friends, but the recent suicide of one of their former classmates, a girl they all were close to, brings them together again. Each, including the deceased, has gone through or is going through a separation or divorce from her husband and each is struggling in her own way with this. The reader can see how well or poorly each is dealing with all that's involved in a divorce, whether it's emotional, financial, or social. Mid-way, the women decide it's time they get some justice where their divorces and husbands are concerned. These women are smart and savvy, and although this all might feel like "getting even", it isn't just that. It's about the growth of each one of them, individually and as a group of friends who find that, although they're different, they share some many of the same problems and emotions.

Annie deals with how best to care for her Downs Syndrome teenage daughter and her two grown sons. Elise deals with a career she left behind for a husband and with aging in a business that tends to look up to youth and beauty. And Brenda deals with being overweight and a husband who has hidden marital assets and left her to struggle financially.

The book, is a darker and more emotional story than the movie, but in my opinion, it's equally as good. It's a complex story of women moving forward after divorce, and taking care of the baggage that led them to it, both their baggage and that of their husbands...and maybe even their husbands! It's not only a look at divorce, but at marriage and the relationships between men and women.

It's an excellent and well written book and definitely worth reading. But if you've seen the movie, the hardest part is separating the two and letting yourself immerse yourself in the story the book tells.

Note: There was an interesting article in New Yorker about the author and her death...the result of plastic surgery, a recurring theme in her books.

First Wives Club

When I first saw this movie in the theater, I was still married and didn't become the "first wife" until much later, but I liked is as much then as I do now.

I watched this on my computer over the weekend. Obviously, it wasn't the first time and was probably closer to being the seventh or eighth or even tenth time. Yes, I like this movie and each time I watch it I find something new I like or didn't notice before. Maybe it was because I was so close to the screen this time that I paid more attention to the music and noticed someone at the party in the last scene that I'd never noticed before. I ended up downloading two songs and gasping when I recognized Gloria Steinem. I'd already recognized Ed Koch, Ivana Trump, and Kathie Lee Gifford, the first or second time I saw the movie, but somehow GS had escaped my notice.

The movie is upbeat. Although the first wives are filled with the need for revenge on their ex husbands, the humor keeps it from being dark. The character growth of these women is astounding and eventually leads them to deep friendship. The bond they'd formed in college obviously wasn't as deep as they'd thought. They'd each gone their separate ways over that period of time. That's very normal. But when the tragedy of Cynthia's suicide brings them back together, we see that those college friendships weren't nearly as strong as maybe the former classmates (and roommates?) thought they were. Brenda (played by Bette Midler) obviously has a problem with Elise (Goldie Hawn) and always has. It plays out as jealousy, but I'm not completely convinced that's all it is. In the beginning, Elise deserves a little razzing. (THOSE LIPS!!) I relate most to Annie (Diane Keaton), and anyone who knows me knows why. In the beginning, these three women had nothing in common except being or soon-to-become first wives and having once known each other. Throughout the course of the movie, we see them moving closer and closer emotionally, until, when the end comes, we know nothing will separate them, no matter whether they agree on everything or not. That's true friendship.

The husband casting was good. (I love Stephen Collins in just about anything and especially when paired with Diane Keaton--see the movie BECAUSE I SAID SO.) Getting revenge was the hook for the story, but the growth of the characters was really what it was all about. In the end, even though they went through with getting even with the exes, they used the funds for the good of many, not just themselves.

If you haven't seen it, you're missing a classic. If you have seen it, but it's been a while, watch it again. You'll feel good if you do.

Hump Day

Next to Friday, Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. Once I get past lunch time, it's all downhill. Only 3 more hours to lunch!

I had every intention of blogging yesterday. I even had a topic for a topic-less day. And then I forgot what it was. My short-term memory is getting worse. Could it be because there are just too many things that need to be remembered? I do write myself notes on the most important things. It's the only way to stay sane and get anything at all done. But too many things are falling between the cracks, so it appears I'll need a new system.

NEWS FROM FRIENDS IN SAN FRANCISCO--
Friend Kristi called last night, laughing about being lost in the hotel. I wondered how they'd managed to get lost in the hotel. Was it that big? Later, I called her back and learned they were actually trying to get directions to Fisherman's Wharf, but she and the others--Vicky Dreiling, Leigh Riker, and Lisa Childs--had been relaxing in the Executive Conference Room, before deciding on the trip to Fisherman's Wharf, so that explained it. (Check out the photos at DitzyChix.com for a definition of the ECR.) They were having a wonderful time, and I wished I could be there with them, but their antics and giggles made me smile, so envy, such as it is, is manageable. :) They did take a trip to the aquarium and had a nice time there. Kristi said the temperature in SF is more like Texas in the winter, around 55, and they were all scrambling to find suitable jackets, even though most had brought something. While 55 degrees isn't exactly cold, when coming from 100 degree summer temps in Texas, it certainly can seem like it! I'm happy to know they're having fun, not that I thought they wouldn't. Being with friends is always fun, no matter what we're doing, and I consider myself blessed to have the wonderful friends I have, even if I don't get to spend a lot of face-to-face time with them. When that does happen, it makes for some really special times and memories.

Monday Madness

First, a quick note. Due to Blogger/BlogSpot's decision to change their format, this blog may be undergoing a change in the next week or so. I'm disappointed, but because I'm unable to use the enhanced features and widgets, I'll have to make some changes. Hopefully, that will only mean that the appearance will change only slightly and old posts will not vanish into cyberspace. Until I dig into it, though, I won't know for sure.

But it's Monday, so why expect less than one more thing to add to a long list of things that need to be done. :)

School starts in 2 1/2 weeks. After a summer of caring for 4 grandkids, ages 6, 5, 4, and currently 11 months, I'm like a lot of moms out there and ready for school to start. Not that I don't love my kidlets, but the 3 older ones are as ready for school to start as I am. If you have more than one child, I'm sure you understand how the bickering and fighting, whining and complaining, and ignoring stated rules tends to escalate, the longer summer drags on. I'm feeling especially grouchy, too, with higher temperatures and more humid conditions. I won't even mention the higher gas prices. Somehow, we'll all make it to August 14, but it isn't going to be pretty. *grin* And once everyone but the little one is back in school, there will be a new set of things to deal with. But right now, even those seem like nothing compared to what the next 2 1/2 weeks will be like.

Hope you're getting your back-to-school shopping done, even if there are no children in your household. I've always loved browsing the school supplies, along with the office supplies, and even take advantages of good deals on notebooks, pens and pencils when I find them.

Have a great rest-of-the-summer!

This 'n That Fab Friends Movie Mania

I guess the title is testament to the fact that I've been busy and haven't posted for a few days. I've been mired in work and decided to get caught up with other things today, if possible. But because I have been able to cross a couple of things off my To Do list (the one in my head, not on my desktop), I have that little extra time.

That was the This 'n That for Monday.

One of my very good friends, Kristi Gold, will be leaving early next week to attend RWA's annual conference, this year being held in San Francisco. Although I would have loved to have gone, it wasn't in the cards for me, and I'll miss Kristi while she's gone. She and I and Kathie DeNosky have a weekly phone conversation, utilizing the three-way calling option, but next week, we'll have to skip it. We talk to each other throughout the week, too, but it's nice when we can all be "together" with the one phone call, too. Our fingers are tightly crossed for Kristi. She's a RITA finalist for her fabulous book, Fall from Grace, so it's extra hard for Kathie and me to not be there to cheer her on at the awards ceremony and calm her nerves before it.

And that was Fab Friends and Fun...fun that will be sorely missed by Kathie and me, but we'll survive.

Movie mania? Who has time? Yes, I'd planned to set aside during the week for at least one movie, if not more, but the best laid plans and all that... A couple of weeks ago, my youngest and I watched Little Women. This was the version with Winona Ryder as Jo and not a terribly bad one. My oldest memory of LW was one in 1933 which starred Katherine Hepburn. No, I wasn't born then, but I've seen it. Then there was the 1949 version, starring June Allyson as Jo, Janet Leigh as Meg, and my strongest memory of Margaret O'Brien as Beth and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy. Of course, casting those two was a reach, since Amy was the youngest of the March girls, not Beth. I noticed on IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base...the absolute BEST source for all movie and TV info) that there were also two silent versions, the first released in 1917 and the second a year later in 1918. Not being a silent movie fan, I didn't recognize any of the actors listed, but I thought it was interesting.

My daughter is always disappointed when Jo turns down Laurie's marriage proposal. I can remember feeling the same. And said daughter is sorely disappointed in Jo's choice of Professor Baer, just as I was when I was young. Now that I'm older, I understand both so much more. Jo could never have made Laurie the wife he would need in the future. She would have hated it and so would he, no matter that she understood his music. Amy would understand his music later, just as Jo had. And the professor was the perfect man for Jo, calm and stable, while Jo tended to be wildly emotional at times. Too, he would understand her writing, which was not something Laurie ever would have done, even though he would have accepted her need to write.

I reminded my daughter that Little Women was not the only book Louisa May Alcott had written about her family. My daughter was surprised. I'm not. While women my age were encouraged to read the classics, the next generation didn't fare so well.

And because that brings me up to tomorrow's "Latest Reads", of which there are none, I'll stop for today and call it done.

Birthdays

'Tis the season for birthdays in our family.

Although most of our family birthdays used to be scattered throughout the year, beginning the end of March and ending in early October, since adding another generation (the grandkids), we now have more to the middle of those months and a couple later dates in the year. And I'm not counting the sons-in-law!

My two middle daughters were born 2 years less 3 days apart. The birthday of the oldest of the two is today, while her sister (2 years younger) was born on the 18th. The doctor had suggested scheduling the 21st when it was time for the younger to appear, but I insisted on scheduling it for the 23rd. She decided to make her appearance the next day and definitely not scheduled. It could have been worse. She could have decided to arrive on her sister's birthday!

From May to August, we have 5 birthdays, one in May, one in June, two in July (the ones mentioned above), and one in August. That's a lot of cake!

So here's to my middle girls, may the coming year bring blessings and happiness...and some quiet times of joy.

Happy Birthday, Lyndsay & Chelsea!