The Help

A couple weeks ago, my friend Renee from Tallahassee started reading the book, The Help.  I thought I had never heard of it, but then I read an old post from a fellow blogger and realized I had, but it did not stick with me.  Last week, Renee gave a beautifully written review of the book.   Renee's review She writes much better than I so check it out. 

I downloaded this book on my e-reader and read it this weekend.  Which is saying something, because it is not a short read.  But it is when you get started, because if you are like me, you can't put it down.  You want to know what is going to happen next to these characters.  I will resist getting into details because as I said, Renee says it so much better.

This book has been made into a movie that will come out on August 12th.  I am posting a link below to the trailer.  Being a girl from the Northwest, I am a naive girl about the workings of such racism, but I am a history buff and well read in the civil rights movement.  So the book was fascinating.  Read Renee's review and then check out  trailer.The Help

Ashley Judd-All That Is Bitter And Sweet

This weekend, while waiting for a reprieve in the weather that never came, I finished reading All That Is Bitter And Sweet, a memoir by Ashley Judd.

Part of the book is her recalling her childhood.  Being raised by two very dysfunctional parents, eventually dealing with her Mom and Sister's success in the country music world.  When reading one person's account on their childhood, I always try to remember that this is one side of the story, but even if it is not the whole story, it is her story.  Through the eyes of the child she once was.  It is a very sad story.  Much of it is backed up by the fact of her sister Wynonna's account and her mom's own words "It's true, it's all true".  Which makes the neglect and at times abuse all the more sad.  But Ashley tells her childhood story not to just spill her guts, but as a way of giving the reader an understanding of how it colored her adult life, making it necessary to get treatment, but also helping her develop a strong since of right and wrong.  And when it gets to this part of the book, well for me, I could not put the book down.

Ashley Judd has spent a large part of her adult life forgoing Hollywood and taking parts few and far between, so she can devote her time advocating for Social Justice around the world.  In her book, she takes us to parts of the world I knew next to nothing about.  She goes into brothels in countries like Cambodia, Rwanda, Congo, India, etc.  She tells the stories of women who fall into the sex trade for economic reasons, because of misogamy, slave trade and so on.  She tells the stories of children who are orphaned because both parents have died of aids.  She talks about meeting world leaders from these countries, relief workers who are with great risk to their own safety, doing Gods work.  She tells these stories with great respect to their lives, even the stories of some of the abusive madams, pimps, and johns who I would have a hard time feeling any compassion for.  I must say, I have been totally ignorant of the plight of so many in the world.

Splattered all through out the book is spirituality and her relationship with God.  Her anger at God, her love for God, her seeking his guidance and most of all seeking Gods comfort. 

What I came away with after reading this book is a better understanding of some of the truly forgotten people of this world, and a renewed determination to find a way to serve someone who needs help in my own world other than family.  At the beginning of the year, I listed some things I wanted to work on.  Health issues, home issues so I would not feel quite so isolated.  But it is time for me to start working on something else I listed.  Find a way to serve within the confines of my life.  It is not enough to just send some money to an organization every month to help an orphan or help a woman start a business in the developing world.  There is such need all around us, even in a small community.  If my health was different, I would volunteer at our local school one or two days in a kindergarten.  That's what I love to do and I am good at it.  But school volunteers need to be dependable and always show up.  Because of my "issues" I can not make that commitment.  But I am thinking.  I am trying to think outside the box, and maybe, just maybe I will think of a way to be of use that might make a difference for someone in need.  The focus is now there and I will let you know if I come up with anything.  Even if it is just a small act of kindness I can regularly send out to this community and world.

A Proper Royal Day

OK, I will admit, although I try not to get sucked into the pop culture, media saturated stories.  I still watched a bit of the wedding and will admit, Catherine was beautiful and Will's Mom would be proud.  And keeping with the British love.  And after watching the "proper" kiss by the lovely couple.  I will do a review of a British show.  (I will be using "proper"  a lot in this post, because the British say it a lot.)

I have talked about my love of Masterpiece Theater.  I love the BBC's productions of the classics.  I watch every week on of my favorite shows, Lark rise to Candleford.  I have blogged about these all.  But then there is British food.

I have had Spanish food from Spain.  Yummo!  But the closest I have gotten to a proper English meal is when I was in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.  Some of the best food ever.  But most was not English.  We had Tapas, Muscles in Thai sauce, Greek sandwiches.  But we also went to the most authentic English pub we could find and had Shepard's pie, beef roast with Yorkshire pudding.  Oh my, it was delicious. It was a proper English meal, I thought.  I waited till I went to Spain for Kris and I to have a proper pint of Guinness.

But when watching some English cooks on t.v., well things do not look appetising.  I have been watching on the Cooking channel, Two Fat Ladies Click on the name if you want to check them out........properly:) Oh they are cute and funny, and I am sure their food is delicious, but the production of their show is anything but appetising.  Clarissa's hair is always hanging down and looking like it needs a good wash, and Jennifer has hands beautifully polished but I wish she would use a spoon or spatula instead of her hands once in a while, and most of the time I can not understand what she is saying.  They cook a lot with organs, which I do not do unless it is fresh liver after my uncle butchers a cow, and when they make kidneys or liver, it never looks like something you would like to eat.  But still I watch like a train wreck.  Jennifer past away right after most of these shows, so I shouldn't make fun.  But I do so in an endearing way.

 

Big Love, I will miss you

Well it all started a few years ago.  LL and I got free HBO for 3 months and they were playing a Big Love marathon.  So I watched it from the first episode on.

I watched the first two seasons, almost in secret.  Because some of the scenes were embarrassingly sexually graphic.  I get embarrassed even when I am by myself.  But it was worth getting pass those  few awkward moments because the show was a gem.  So I caught up those two seasons and started watching the third. 
That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Then one day, I had mentioned to my then 77 year old mom that I started watching Big Love but my 3 months of free HBO was almost up and could I start watching it at her house.  She then admitted, (yes Mom, I am telling on you) that she has watched it from the beginning but was a bit embarrassed to admit it, (know the feeling) and will start taping it.  That's Mom's story and she is sticking to it.

After going to my Mom's for that 3rd season, LL came a time or two.  And like anyone else who gives the show a chance, he got sucked in.  In fact, he coined the show "Poly Porn"  as in polygamy pornography.  Since he never seen the first two seasons which have the really graphic scenes, I don't think he knew how right he was.  But he was hooked and That's LL's story and he is sticking to it.

Then came several weeks ago, when my sister Kris had her surgery.  I get netflix and ordered her Big Love from the first season to the one before this last.  She watched, and watched and watched.  She became hooked as much as Mom, LL and Me.  And she had the benefit of watching them all close together so she could remind us what happened in the past.  Well That is Kris's story and she is sticking to it.

So fast forward to this season.  Over the last several weeks, Kris, LL and I have met over at Mom's and watched this season of Big Love.  It was the last season and tonight was the very last episode. 

If you are a little prudish like me, watch the first two seasons, but fast forward or avert your eyes.  If you are not prudish, well,..............I guess enjoy:)  The rest of the seasons are not as graphic.

The whole show is hilarious with the hypocrisy.  That is the best part.  But even though some characters will drive you crazy, you will love them all.  Truly one of the best cast ever on any series.  Especially the supporting casts who most are big stars.  I will miss terribly Bill, Barb, Nicki and Margene.  But, and I wont do a spoiler here.........The last episode does not disappoint!

I Am (The Documentary)

LL and I did make it to Portland today to see the film I Am.  It is a documentary made by Tom Shadyac, the director of movies like Bruce Almighty and Ace Ventura. 

This is an excellent film about Human nature, the world, materialism, science and spirituality.  I can not even begin to go into everything I learned and how much I enjoyed the documentary.  It featured the now passed away, Howard Zinn, Desmond Tutu, Thom Hartmann, and many others.  It was beautifully filmed, edited, and written. 

I hope if you get the chance to go see it, or rent it when it comes out on dvd, you will take the time to do so.  It truly starts out asking the question "what is wrong with our world?", and finishes with "what is right with our world?".  And the answer to both questions is..........I AM!

Portlandia

A show I have enjoyed over the last four weeks has been the IFC series, Portlandia.  It is a very short series of 6 episodes, giving an endearing or mocking, depending on how you look at it, view of Portlanders.  If a person is watching it outside of the Northwest, I am not sure how funny they would find the show, but for an Oregonian, I think it is hilarious because I get it.  I have seen someone just like every character you will find in the show.  I am a few characters to my chagrin.  But it is tongue and cheek and I mind the making fun of us very sweet and endearing.  I know.  I might be in denial, but I will enjoy this quirky and I must say very real depiction of the wide variety of people you will find when visiting the city of roses. 

Here is a clip to go and see the first scene of the series that is more music video than a scene.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/205428/portlandia-i-dream-of-the-90s

Food Inc.

I mentioned a while ago that I signed up for Netflix.  One of the nice things about getting films for a set price, is that I try movies I might not rent normally for 4 bucks a shot.  So I am looking forward to watching more documentaries.  One I just watched was Food, Inc..  It is a film about the effects of large agribusiness practices and how it affects our food system and in turn, our economy and health.  The most interesting part of this film is that it features some brave whistle blowing farmers, a self described Republican mom, and so on.  People you would not normally think would be in a film about corperate greed and the warnings that come along with putting the health of our nation aside. 

I recommend this movie for everyone.  I think even if you don't buy into the downfall of world shipped, hormone infused, pesticide enriched foods, all the more reason to watch it if you find the modern processes of food does not hurt your health.  You can then say you seen it and it is a bunch of baloney.  For me, a woman with a cancer that old men only use to get and a growing number of younger woman, even younger than me are dieing from; one of the few cancers that has been known to be directly contributed to foods and diet, well I choose to learn a little more everyday about what I put into my mouth and my health.  I still eat a few things that are processed and not the best for me, but I do so informed and every month make better choices.  I hope if you have the chance to watch this film, you will.  Then maybe going to a local farmers market or buying beef from some small farmer like my Uncle Leo will be a regular habit of yours.  OK, my preaching is done.

Ghost Town

Last night, I was home by myself and decided to watch a movie on-line.  I watched The Truth About Spring on You Tube.  This movie has been a hard to find film which rarely gets played on TV.  So the fact that someone put it on You Tube a few months ago was a treat.

This movie stars Haley Mills, her father John Mills, and James MacArthur who just past away a few months ago.  If you have not seen this movie and you like a well made light hearted film, see it!

This morning, I got up early, like usual, and turned on the news.  What important story will be featured today?  Well the first news I heard was Sarah (Fergie) will be invited to the Royal Wedding.  I guess this is news worthy because last year, she was caught trying to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew.  Speculation is that because she was friends with William's mum, and she is the mother of his cousins, it is not that inappropriate to invite her to the wedding. How silly can the press be, I know the real reason she is invited to the wedding.........Think how boring and stuffy the reception would be without her.  All the men in their morning coats and stiff upper lips, the woman with their large hats and cheerio-ing.  They need Sarah there to perhaps drink too much champagne and become the life of the party.  Well her and Elton.  Certainly I would invite him too.  Think how much fun the party would be then.  Maybe they should invite me:)  I can be the life of the party, darn it!  Oh I forgot, I have problems traveling because of my "issues".  Well, I bet I would get an invite if it wasn't for that.

Any how...........While at the Oregon Gardens, I walked around the Children's Garden for a while. 

The gardens this time of year are very empty and, well, dead looking.  But no place is eerier than the Children's Garden.  It feels like a ghost town.  A place that use to be bubbling with life, laughter and activities.  But now looks spooky and abandoned.

The little model train stopped and abandoned like the rest of the garden.

Oh but look, I did find two others sharing the children's garden with me.

They are such a cute couple. 

I needed to head home shortly after the visit to the Children's Garden, but first I needed to get one more picture of the sun starting to go down.

I am so looking forward to the first signs of spring at the Gardens.  Have a great weekend and Go Steelers, Go Packers!

Stupid Movie *sniff sniff*

OK, I make no secret of my love for animals.  I love birds, turtles, dogs, cats, and almost every other animal I come in contact with.  I even put up with the damn squirrels who terrorize my chickens and eat their feed.  But I don't put them on an equal level with humans.  If I had to save a stranger's life over my Beau's,  I would.  Don't tell Beau!  But afterwards I would never want to see the stranger again because I would forever hate them:(  With that said, I must admit, tales about animals will make me a blubbering idiot faster than anything.  I cry every time I hear the songs Shannon (about a dog) and Wildfire (about a horse).  What is worse than sentimental songs are movies about animals.  Marley, Old Yeller, to name a couple.  So this brings me to how I spent my Sunday afternoon.  I made soup and bread.  Took it over to Mom's where we ate lunch and watched a movie.

LL, Max and I went.  Kris, Karen and Mom watched the movie too.  Steve and David showed up later.  They were smart. 

Not because the movie was bad.  No.  I am not calling it stupid because it was not well done.  I am calling it stupid because by 2/3's of the way through, I am bawling like a five year old. 

The movie was Hachi: A Dog's Tale.  It starred Richard Gere and Joan Allen, so you know it was going to be good.  It was based on a true story that took place in the 1920's in Japan but the movie changed it to modern times in America.  It was about an Akita named Hachi. 

Richard Gere and Joan Allen were wonderful, but the star of the movie was the darn dog.  I know they probably used several dogs for the movie, but it doesn't matter.  You fall in love with the darn dog.  It was so adorable.  Luckily, I had my real life Hachi, Beau to hug through out the movie.  Max kept asking if I was OK.  "Yes damn it! I mean darn it! I'm Fine!!"  *sniff, sniff*  So OK!! I admit it.  I am a sentimental fool.

Addicted to Plastic

Turn Music off on the right before watching video.  Watched this movie.  It was well made and has renewed my commitment to reduce the amount of plastics in my family's life.

Lark Rise to Candleford

OK if you have not figured it out by now.............I am a nerd.  I love Elton, Neil Young, my chickens, my dogs, polka dots and tye-dye and...............British Dramas.  Yes, I like watching Masterpiece Theatre and other British Dramas on PBS.  Oh not the Inspector this or Inspector that, but my favorite is Lark Rise to Candleford. 

It is based on the three novels by Flora Thompson.  It is inspired from her life in the late 19th century in a hamlet, Juniper Hill (Lark Rise), where she grew up, Buckingham, (Candleford), and where she worked in the post office, Fringford, (Candleford Green).

I have been watching this show on my local PBS for over a year now.  LL has even watched it if it is on when he is in the room as he seems to enjoy it.  The word that best describes it's characters is...........Endearing.  I have seen all the episodes, so when I seen the series on DVD at Costco, I couldn't justify purchasing it.  But if you find it there and have not seen the show.  Get it.  Otherwise, you can catch it on PBS every week but you will not see it in order.  You don't really have to, but it does help to understand and love the characters.  Here are a few that I like.

Dorcas Lane who is the Post Mistress.  She is in every bodies business but seems to have the best head on her shoulders.  She is played by Julia Sawahla.  It took me a few episodes to recognise her as one of the sisters in my favorite production of Pride and Prejudice.

Emma Timmins is easily my favorite character.  She is Laura's Mum.  Laura is based on Flora the author.  Emma is the rock of the show.  Very flawed and very strong.  You might recognise her from the most recent Hollywood production of Pride and Prejudice.  I love her best in the scenes with her husband..............

Robert Timmons. Played by Brendan Coyle.  I have not seen him in anything else but his character is so sweet, gruff, working man, and perfect as the family man who loves his wife and children but struggles all the time.  He has a strong sense of right and wrong but finds himself questioned by his beloved Emma all the time.

I can't wait till the new season, or series as they call it in British television comes on.  I don't usually watch reruns but find myself watching them again just for pure enjoyment.

I have also started watching a new Old British show I checked out at the library called Rosemary and Thyme.  I look forward to watching many of those and review it for you later.  Ta Ta or Cheerio. 

Letters to Juliet

This evening, I decided to rent a pay-per-view movie.  My choice was Letters to Juliet.  It was highly recommended to me and since I was in a mood for a chick flick.  I decided to give it a try.

My thoughts on the movie are a bit mixed.  It takes place in Italy.  I almost always enjoy a movie that takes place in Italy, Spain, Greece or France.  I love the scenery in movies such as Under the Tuscan Sun, Eat Pray Love, Mama Mia, French Kiss, the list is almost endless.  Letters to Juliet did not disappoint when it came to the beautiful setting.  For this reason alone I think it is worth watching.  I also enjoy almost anything Vanessa Redgrave is in.  As usual, she gives the best performance of anyone in the cast.  Amanda Seyfried was also very good as the main character Sophie.  I have liked Amanda's work in Big Love and she did a nice job in Mama Mia.  In fact, all the women in the movie do a great job.

Where I had a problem is with the two main male characters, or I should say the actors that played them.  Victor, Sophie's fiance, does an OK job.  Nothing to write home about.  But the biggest disappointment is with the actor who played Charlie, the man Sophie starts to fall for.  I found myself almost embarrassed at times with his acting.  But to be fair, he might of done a better job with better writing.  The movie is very predictable, with lines that at times just are poorly written.

The bottom line is I found the movie worth watching once because of the beautiful setting and all the women in the movie.  But I would not buy the DVD or watch it again.  If I were to rate it 1 to 4 stars.  I would give it 2 stars.   So there you go.  A movie review by Konnie:)

Isn't It Shocking

When I was working full time and couldn't sleep, I would almost panic because when working with special needs kiddo's, you need to be light on your feet.

Now, when waking up at 12:30 and mind is racing, I am learning to just get up and go with it.  It is not as if I then sleep in.  I don't.  But if I am a little rummy during the day, the only one's it hurts is my family putting up with my bad mood.

Last night I woke up and found myself thinking about an old TV movie called Isn't It Shocking.  Talk about random:)

When I was about 10 yrs old, Hollywood came to the small town of Mt. Angel and also filmed at houses out in the country in a community called North Howell where I grew up.  I remember my brother and I riding our bikes about a mile to a neighbors house, an old Victorian home.  We hung out there watching the stars going in and out of the house.  We watched them film a couple scenes.  I remember being about 4 ft from the star Alan Alda while he was talking to the director.  Being country kids that lived a less than exciting life, this is a memory that seems like yesterday.

I remember how exciting it was to watch the movie on TV.  Back then there was no dvr's or vcr's, so watching it was a one shot deal and an event! 

So around 1:00 am this morning, I decided to look in up on this new fangled thing called the Internet:)  I was thinking maybe it was available to buy, so I did a search "isn't it shocking"  and what did I find?  The whole movie on You Tube.  Who knew?  Oh you did.  Well this 20th Century girl had no idea something as obscure as a 1973 TV movie would be on You Tube.

I watched the whole movie.  It was so much fun to see Mt. Angel City Hall, which hasn't changed a bit.  The Theater, streets I recognized and both houses that are still in North Howell.  The movie is definitely dated, and has the typical corny background sound effects you would expect from a 1973 movie.  So most people would probably not find it so entertaining.  I loved it. 

I finally got back to sleep around 3:30 and am now ready for the day.  But just for a couple hours last night, I was 10 yrs old again..............Wonderful!

BTW, Guess what was the number one song of 1973.................You got it!  Tony Orlando & Dawn's  Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree:)

Movie Review-Eat, Pray, Love

This is the review from the co-op blog. 

I had the pleasure of going to the movies. It has been about a year since I went to see Julie and Julia, and it had been a long time before that since I had been to a theater. I enjoyed it so much. I had "issues" half way through the movie but still was able to make it through.
The movie starts out a bit slow and boring. Well at least to me. For the first 20 minutes you watch the inner turmoil Liz is going through. Those 20 minutes are important to set up her need to get away and go experience Italy, India, and Bally. Important or not, I still felt a bit impatient for the movie to start moving. After she gets to Italy, I found the movie very enjoyable. Loved the many characters involved. I felt the casting was perfect and at one point I wanted to grab her boyfriend from Bally and take him home. Hubby might have problems with that though. The scenery is beautiful in all three countries.
My niece and Sis went with me. My niece Kara is the one who like to dress JUST SO and had real difficulty with Julia's clothing throughout the movie. Which cracked me up because she dressed just like me throughout.  Remember that I like tie-dye and polka dots, So I thought she was dressed perfect:) I think Julia Roberts did a wonderful job playing Liz. The thing is, Liz is not a person that I find I like or have a lot of sympathy for. I found myself thinking, "for goodness sake Lady, can't you stop over thinking everything and start enjoying life". But then I realized that is exactly what her journey was about. To find out just how to let go and live. For me it took Cancer to do this. I rather have went to Italy:)
So go see it. If you are like me, you will enjoy it. Prepare for a long sit though. I think the movie was 2 1/2 hrs long.

Book Review-Eat, Pray, Love

I wrote this book review a few days ago for a Co-0p blog I belong to. I also wrote a review for the movie. I will post that tomorrow.

At least 3 years ago, maybe 4, I walked into a bookstore and saw a display of a new book just released called Eat, Pray, Love. I hadn't heard anything about this book. To be honest, what caught my eye was the cover of the book. Any book that has the word eat on it and has it written in pasta, is my kind of book:) So I bought it.
I read this book right away. I am going by memory, because I have long lost track of the book. I found the opening of the book uncomfortable. Elizabeth is basically having a nervous breakdown. I remember being uncomfortable because I clearly was not happy with my life at the time mostly because Max was so ill with an additional disorder, and almost felt jealous that this woman had the luxury of falling apart. Being a mother of three, and with one with special needs, I felt like falling apart on a daily basis, but always if not barely kept it together. As I read on, I found myself loving the eat portion of the book. I could imagine myself tasting the best that Italy had to offer. I remember learning a lot about eastern religion and meditation from the pray portion of the book. I am a Christian but have a definite unconventional slant on spirituality, so any tool I can learn to quiet my heart and mind is a good thing to me. The love part of the book was good but I think at the time I read this section, life was overwhelming and not much soaked in or was memorable.
After I read the book, I loaned it out a couple of times and then lost track of the book. Oprah got tuned into the book and found it fascinating and life changing. I remember at the time thinking, well the book is really good, but life changing it wasn't for me. Now it is a movie. Here in the States it opened last Friday. I am hoping to see it tomorrow afternoon, if my "digestive issues" allow me to go. (I did go and tomorrow will review the movie.) I am looking forward to seeing how they adapt the book into a movie.
If you have read the book or seen the movie. Let me know what you thought of if.