Life, Movies, Tears...

Life has been crazy lately. My husband is still dealing with the legalities and after effects of the car accident, which was not his fault, but they are still making it difficult to settle the hospital bills. A cousin's husband, who is also a friend, is battling cancer. The diagnosis wasn't good, but they have strong faith and a lot of people praying for him. My health has been giving me issues, but I'm pushing back by resting when I need to and taking care of getting myself to see the doctor, which I tend to avoid.

One of my favorite escapes from life's stresses is to put in a good movie. I've been revisiting some childhood favorites. Today it was the 1963 Disney movie, The Incredible Journey. I bought the paperback in 1968, and loved reading it just as much as I loved the movie. This is the version I had.

The following may be a spoiler, if you've never read the book or seen the movie, so you may want to stop reading now...

Even after seeing the movie, and knowing the story so well, it still gets me right in the heart. It's about the journey of Luath, Bodger, and Tao. I love animals, and when old Bodger comes walking out of the woods, the tears just started flowing. I was thinking of all the animals who had been in, and then out, of my life over the years. They become part of the family. I'm not currently a pet owner, but one of these days I'll be making room for another. Right now, I make do by feeding the birds and keeping an eye on the mama duck, who is nesting in my front garden.

Since this is poetry month, here is a link to a favorite of mine. If you don't like to click on links, it is found on YouTube. It's read by the author, Jimmy Stewart, during an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and it's called A Dog Named Beau... Have your hanky nearby, unless you're made of stone, which I am not. Crying again, but it's worth every tear. 

Busy Weekend...

After a busy weekend, which involved attending a special church service, a visit from out of town relatives, preparing for an upcoming yard sale, and more, I'm relaxing this afternoon with an old movie, Gaslight. It's a 1944 film starring Ingrid Bergman.  It's about a woman whose husband is trying to slowly drive her mad. It's a favorite of mine. It also stars Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, and a very young Angela Lansbury.

There's something about an old black & white classic, a hot cup of coffee, the hint of autumn just around the corner. I feel very content right now.

Comfort Media...

When I'm cleaning, or doing little odd jobs around the house, I always turn to comfort media.  By that, I mean music, TV or movies which have a nostalgic feel to them.  Occasionally during the holidays, I tune into Days of Our Lives simply to see them decorate their tree.  The ornaments have each character's name on them, and they are placed on the tree during a big family party, including those of cast members who have long ago left the show or passed on.  I never watched soaps much but when I was living in Phoenix, before the days of the VCR, mom would have me watch her soaps for her.  She worked during the day and hated to miss them, so she'd call on the weekend and I'd fill her in on the antics of Marlena and Roman Brady, or what Grandma Alice Horton was up to.  I became a faithful viewer for a few years because of mom.

A lot of people dismiss soaps, as just so much fluff, naughtiness, and bad acting.  That doesn't bother me.  I watch them for the same reason I read comic book adventures as a child.  They were fun, imaginative, and quick.  They were for the days when I didn't want to dive into a Tom Sawyer or a Great Expectations.  It's the same reason I turn on easy listening music, or a light holiday musical, while doing my chores.  It takes my mind off the mundane tasks, without drawing me into something heavy or distracting.  So, it's time for me to tune into a classic movie and get back to my chores.  Until next time...

This free image is from My Vintage Studio.  Sharon has many wonderful images to share. 

© 11DEC2012 ajjahner

Day 27 - Beginnings, The Help

I just spent the past two and a half hours watching The Help.  It's been a long while since a movie touched me in quite that way.  Movies have often dealt with the race issues in our history, but only a few stood out to me.  The 1974 film, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was one of those.  Cicely Tyson was magnificent.  It was both heartbreaking and inspiring.  In 1985, The Color Purple broke my heart again.  The Help is another one of those.  It was a joy to see Cicely Tyson again, as Constantine, and Viola Davis was amazing as Aibileen.  It was a different kind of story.  One where you saw good and bad on both sides, but it felt like goodness won.  No, it didn't tie it up in a pretty package as if everything ended ok, but it left you with a feeling of hope.

My early childhood years were during the turbulent 1960's.  Racism was covered on the evening news.  It shocked me to see the overt hostility on peoples faces.  Brutality of any kind had always frightened me, and I couldn't understand how people could resort to cruelty and violence.

I used to hear people say things like, "I just don't see color."  I do see color.  I want to see it.  I want to see all our differences and glory in them.  I want to be seen for who I am.  When we look at the world around us, much of the greatest beauty is in the differences of texture and color.  Craggy mountains, deep valleys, smooth blue waters, sky, clouds, sun, and rain.  It's the kaleidoscope of differences that shock and thrill us with their wonder.  Seeing people is like that too.  Some are comforting, some bring smiles, some try our patience and stretch our boundaries, others leave us breathless with their beauty.  Our common bond is the most important thing.  We are human, we have heart and soul and spirit.  I wish it was enough to stop the hatred and injustice which still exists in our world.  It isn't yet, but I still have hope.

© 27JAN12 ajj

28JAN12 - NEW NOTE...  From a thread on FB, I discovered a lot of people who felt the movie minimized the race issue.  Some were even highly offended by it and felt it continued to perpetuate racism.  I didn't get that from it.  I thought it was a blend of drama and humor, that tried to look at both sides.  My hope is always that our world continues to grow toward more understanding and peace.  Please leave comments, negative or positive.  I always have room to learn from others.  Wishing you peace!

Brenda Photo Challenge - Pets

Today is the Brenda Photo Challenge. To see my entries, go to Nita Jos Photos. To see all the other wonderful photo entries, go to the Brenda Photo Challenge Blog.


I am loving this day. It's a cold, crisp, autumn day. My favorite kind. When I'm done here, I plan to watch my tape of Amazing Race, sort through piles of magazines that I haven't had time to read, and later put in one of my favorite autumn movies... Arsenic and Old Lace or The Trouble With Harry. Both are set during the fall season. I also love The Four Seasons with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett. That's only a few of them... so many choices.

Hmmm... an old, blue 52 Chevy just pulled in to the driveway. Guess the car show closed early... must not have liked the rainy cold weather. I just remembered there's a BSU game on tonight. They've been doing well. The movies will wait for another day!

Spring Break...

Well, spring break was quiet for us. Lucky 13 and I hung around the house most of the time. He reorganized part of his room and got better acquainted with his new laptop. It is way better than my desktop!

We spent today at a friends. The boys played video games and laughed a lot! My friend, DeAnn, and I had a movie marathon! We watched "Nights in Rodanthe", "The Trouble With Harry" and one called "Lucky Seven"... I'm surprised I stayed awake for almost all of them!

Lucky 13 has an orchestra concert tomorrow night! I am really looking forward to it. They will be playing "The Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi, plus some other selections!

It was a wonderful day... here's an appropriate quote:

"There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend."
~ Katherine Hathaway