The Morning After Weeds

Super Lucky Happy 05x04 (#54)

"Nancy is paid a visit by rogue DEA agent Roy Till and must decide his fate. Meanwhile, Celia finally arrives stateside and sets up camp in Nancy’s garage. Andy discovers an old bank account under Judah’s name and must find a way to access it. Silas and Doug use their new law enforcement connection, Deputy C.P. Jones , to strong-arm a lease for their medical marijuana dispensary."

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

It's a good thing I like the character of Andy (Justin Kirk) because the last 2 shows have centered more around him than Nancy. Not a bad thing, just an observation. In last night's episode, Andy tries to impersonate his dead brother in order to close out a forgotten bank account of Judea's. Of course, Andy being who he is, gets into a pickle because the bank teller is an old flame of Judea's.


I would really like to see Andy and Nancy finally get together, but I'm beginning to think this will never happen. Although I think Nancy is only with Esteban to save her life - and the boys' lives - I don't think she really loves him. I think she is harboring some deep emotions for Andy. I guess we'll see.

The main focus of the show continues to be on what’s going to happen with Nancy and Esteban’s baby and whether or not Nancy’s life will be safe once the baby is born. Esteban showed a softer side last night when he learned the baby was truly his (thru CVS testing) and that it was going to be a boy. He gives Nancy a baby swing to assemble for the baby. Of course, this swing gave us one of the best quotes of the night as Nancy is trying to put it together:

"Plastic demon from hell!"

The other hilarious quote from the night came when Nancy had Roy Till and Ignacio tied up to keep them from killing each other. As she leaves the room, the men start kicking each other, until Ignacio is horrified and screams to Roy:

"You have a boner."

Roy replies:

"That happens sometimes in the heat of combat."

I'm not sure how I feel about this situation ending, especially when Esteban came in and solved the problem. I'm not liking the increased violence this season.

Nancy's solution to problems during this episode was to consult the Magic 8 Ball - not very reliable, but funny none-the-less. When Esteban shows up to solve the Roy/Ignacio problem, he finds Nancy sitting on the floor outside the bedroom mumbling all the possible answers you can get from the Magic 8 Ball. Later, Esteban chucks the ball into the ocean.


Silas and Shane continue their criminal pursuits. Silas and Doug have been successful in procuring a building to start their new business. Shane gets ripped off by his English teacher when trying to sell him some product. Shane used to be the "moral center" of this little family, as evidence by Andy's question to him:

"Is it ok to impersonate your dead brother and pseudo-steal some money if you're gonna use the cash for the family's greater good?"

Shane seems to be slip-sliding into a life of crime to match everyone else.I hate to see this happen - it has been my least favorite part of the show last season and this season. Shane was such an intelligent boy and now he's turning into a thug.


And we can't forget about Celia, who has finally showed up on Nancy's doorstep looking for a place to stay. Nancy wants nothing to do with Celia, but Celia is like a tick that won't let go. When Nancy was lighting matches and them throwing them at Celia, I cracked up - but I have a feeling Nancy will end up taking her in before it is all over with.

This was not my favorite episode of the season, but it was pretty good. I'm looking forward to Shane dealing with his teacher next week.

My Birdies Are Flying Away

I have a horrible case of Empty Nest Syndrome! While I knew I would have to face this eventually, knowing it’s coming doesn’t make it any easier. Christine has been gone to the Governor’s School for the Arts for a full week now and I miss her like crazy.

I know she is having a wonderful time and she is learning all kinds of interesting things about writing and publishing – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she is making all kinds of new friends – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she will have a finished chapbook when she comes home – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she’ll be home before her 17th birthday – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she calls us every single night – doesn’t make me feel better, okay, maybe makes me feel a little better.

This is the last baby I have at home, and I never dreamed it would be this hard on me, after all, I’m a grown up and I’ve had children in the house for almost 27 years. You would think I would be jumping for joy – but I’m not.

I am so proud of my wonderful daughter and I know she has a bright, productive future to look forward to. I know all little birdies have to grow up and leave the nest, I just wish my last little birdie could stick around a while longer.

James Baker Hall

KET will be airing a 2002 program featuring the late James Baker Hall Sunday, June 28 at 10:30/9:30 p.m. CT on KET1. LIVING BY WORDS, a 90-minute KET documentary, is the story of five good friends who also happen to be five of Kentucky's best-loved authors: Bobbie Ann Mason , Wendell Berry, Gurney Norman, Ed McClanahan and James Baker Hall . It is a celebration of creative writing, and in particular of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Kentucky, which all five writers attended in the 1950s and '60s.

James will be greatly missed by all Kentuckians.

RIP James Baker Hall
April 14, 1935 - June 25, 2009

Free Flowing Friday

So much is going on/has happened this week:

1.) Too many deaths this week: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and James Baker Hall. You've probably heard of the first 3, but unless you live in Kentucky, you probably don't known the 4th. James Baker Hall was a wonderful Kentucky author and he was our state's Poet Laureate from 2001 - 2003.

2.) Missing my youngest daughter so very much! She will finish up her first week of work at the Governor's School for the Arts and from all indications, she is having a wonderful time. This is the first time in almost 27 years that I have not had a child at home. I'm not liking the empty nest syndrome!

3.) Read 2 books this week: PYRES by Derek Nikitas (a KY author) and SKIN TRADE (Book #17 of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series) by Laurell K. Hamilton. These were 2 totally different kinds of books, but both were great. Yesterday, I started on DUMA KEY by Stephen King - this one goes back to his beginning roots. I had quit reading King over the past few years because I was happy with several of the books, but he has redeemed himself with this one (and JUST AFTER SUNSET). I am eagerly awaiting his fall release, UNDER THE DOME.

4.) Hoping my oldest daughter and new son-in-law get home from their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach happy, safe and sound. I can't believe it - I'm now a mother-in-law! If you haven't had a chance to see the beautiful wedding photos, you can see them here.

5.) I started a FaceBook group this week for my writing group - The Community of Mercer County Writers. It is our plan to provide writing prompts or "spring boards" for area writers. The name of the group is Nomadic Ink and you can check us out on FaceBook. You can also check out our blog: Nomadic Ink.

6.) Today ends my first full week of being a local gardener examiner on Examiner.Com. Thanks so much to everyone who has visited my page and for your kind comments. Now that the wedding is over, I'm hoping to be able to devote more time to this page.

Broken

BROKEN

MTR Protest Arrests

Silas House has posted a note on FaceBook about recent events concerning mountaintop coal removal. It is an important and powerful message and I thought it needed mentioning here. Visit Silas' note, as well as the other sites listed.

"The media is not giving enough attention to this story, so please pass the following links onto everyone you know. This is an urgent matter, so I hope you’ll forgive me for seeming dramatic. But it’s time to start yelling. It’s time to start fighting. As much as I love mountains, it’s important to remember that this is about more than mountains."

Silas House

West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Huntington News

The Charleston Gazette



The Herald-Dispatch - Actress Darryl Hannah, left, and former Rep. Ken Hechler D-W.Va., attend a mountaintop removal mining protest Tuesday, June 23, 2009 in Naoma, W.Va. They were among several hundred protesters who held a rally outside Marsh Fork Elementary school that sits about 300 feet away from a Massey Energy coal processing plant. (AP Photo/Jeff Gentner)

Way Back Wednesday - 'Salem's Lot

I have totally shifted gears with this week's Way Back Wednesday and I'm going to highlight a book instead of a movie.

With all the hubbub about the possiblity of a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie - without Joss Whedon, I may add - I've been thinking about my favorite vampire novels. 'Salem's Lot is the very first book I ever read of Stephen King's, starting a 32+ year obsession. 'Salem's Lot is also the first vampire book I read, although my love of vampires started in 1966 with Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows.

'Salem's Lot is a 1975 horror novel written by Stephen King, and was his second published novel. The title King originally chose for his book was Second Coming but he later decided on Jerusalem's Lot. The publishers eventually shortened it to the current title, thinking the author's choice sounded too religious.

Ben Mears, a successful writer who grew up in the (fictional) town of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine (or “The Lot”, as the locals call it), has returned home following the death of his wife. Ben plans to write a book about the Marsten House, an abandoned mansion that gave him nightmares after a bad experience with it as a child.

The Marsten House has been purchased by Mr. Straker and Mr. Barlow, a business pair who plans to open an Antique Mall, even though Straker is the only one who is ever seen in public. The arrival of this pair in town coincides with the disappearence of a local boy, Ralphie Glick, and the suspicious death of his brother Danny.

Over the course of the book, the town is slowly taken over by vampires, reducing it to a ghost town by day as they sleep.

King has stated that during a high school class he taught, he was inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula and wondered what would happen if Dracula lived in 20th century America. King originally wrote of Jerusalem's Lot in a short story which was eventually published in the collection Nightshift. He is said to have also drawn heavily from the works of H. P. Lovecraft.


The novel has been adapted into a television mini-series twice, first in 1979 and then in 2004. The novel was also adapted by the BBC as a seven part radio play in 1995.

Hal Sparks

Actor/comedian Hal Sparks will be performing at Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington, Kentucky on Thursday July 9th – Saturday July 11th.

Hal Sparks is a former host of E!’s Talk Soup and has appeared on VH1's I Love the 80’s series. He is currently in pre-production on his own series for VH1.

I fell in love with Hal when he starred as Michael on Showtime’s Queer as Folk.

The Morning After Weeds

Su-Su-Sucio episode 05x03 (#53)

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

This episode starts out with our favorite goon - Cesar - staring Nancy down in her own kitchen. The barking doorbell rings - it's Cesar's bodyguard relief, Sucio. Sucio is filthy and one of the funniest lines of the night was Cesar saying, "He's comfortable with his man smell."

Sucio turns out to be the dark comic relief in tonight's episode - he literally points a gun at everyone entering the house. Andy returns home from Nancy's sister's house and is greeted by Sucio's gun pointed at the back of his head. Introductions are made and Andy attempts a Phil Collins "Sussudio" comment, which, of course, doesn't translate into Spanish.

When Nancy takes a bathroom break,with Andy still trying to explain "Sussudio," Nancy comes out in a panic - she's bleeding and must go to the doctor. Is it a problem with the baby or the rough sex from last episode? Thankfully, the baby is okay.

Silas comes home (to Sucio's pointed gun) and from all the compliments he is paying her, she knows he's up to something. Looks like Silas and Doug want to open a retail medical marijuana store. Seems like growing in the national forest wasn't such a good idea after all.

Then Shane comes home (again to Sucio's pointed gun), followed by Nancy's sister Jill.

"She banged Uncle Andy," Shane says. "You didn't," says Nancy. "I can do things," says Jill.

Jill tells Nancy she is being blackmailed by Shane. Sibling rivalry begins and we learn some things about Nancy we never knew before.

However, within a few minutes of Andy realizing Jill is in the house, they are upstairs having sex!

Elsewhere, Celia is awakened by a hand clamped over her mouth dragging her out of bed. Looks like her free-rein in the rebel camp is over - she ends up on a bus in Texas.

Silas and Doug find a local police officer to sign off on their medical marijuana store - for a cut of the profits.

Nancy, fed up with Sucio's filthiness, drags him to the outdoor shower. While she is retrieving a loofah for him, she returns to find only a pile of clothes and a few drops of blood. Nancy panics and makes everyone leave the house. Is it Guillermo's people or Esteban's? Must not be Esteban, because he tells her to get somewhere safe. You know Nancy is really scared when she asks Esteban for Cesar to come back and guard her and her family.

I enjoyed this episode because I learned a lot of things about Nancy, like her affair with her science teacher when she was only 13 years old. Or how she left Jill to care for their dying parents and funeral preparations.

The comedy is still present, but the darkness seems to be creeping in more and more. I have no idea where this season is taking us, but Nancy and the gang are on the run again.

I Miss Her So Much ....

There was a wonderful article in the Lexington Herald-Leader yesterday about the Governor's School for the Arts program. We have talked to Christine both nights she has been gone already, and she is having a wonderful time. She is doing lots of writing and making new friends.

Governor's School for the Arts

A total of 225 of Kentucky’s best young artists from 51 counties have assembled on the Transylvania campus in Lexington today, Sunday, June 21, to begin the three-week 2009 session of the Governor’s School for the Arts. Read all about it here: Transy

My youngest daughter, Christine Rightmyer, is among these 225 students. She is one of only 23 students in the Creative Writing Program. It was so hard to say goodbye to her, but we know this is such a wonderful opportunity for her to grow her talent of creative writing.

We are so proud of you, Christine!

The Wedding

For everyone who reads my blog, you will know that today was my oldest daughter's wedding. Amber Dawn Huffman married Jason Matthew Wilham in a double ring ceremony at Pioneer Baptist Church in Harrodsburg. This are the photos my wonderful hubby took of the big day. As soon as the photographer's photos are available, I'll post a few of those.

This is a photo of Amber's dress taken just before the wedding. Her dress was gorgeous!

From Rightmyer Rants

Another back view of the beautiful gown.

From Rightmyer Rants

My 3 beautiful daughters: Christine, Amber and Marie

From Rightmyer Rants

Another view of the back of Amber's gown

From Rightmyer Rants

My favorite "candid" photo - not many people knew Amber was barefoot under her gown, so this is a picture of her cute toes peeking out from under the gown.

From Rightmyer Rants

The entire wedding party

From Rightmyer Rants

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Wilham - June 20, 2009

From Rightmyer Rants

The couple leaving the church

From Rightmyer Rants

The Wedding cake and groom's cake

From Rightmyer Rants

Throwing the bridal bouquet - my youngest daughter bet the middle one to catch the bouquet

From Rightmyer Rants

Removing the garter - not many people knew that Amber's present to Jason was tucked in her garter - tickets to see Hank Williams, Jr. on July 4th. Needless to say, he was surprised.

From Rightmyer Rants

Rehearsal

The rehearsal went off with very few problems - there are still a few kinks to work out, but all in all, things were good.

Here is the entire wedding party: the 2nd and 3rd girls on the left are my youngest daughter, Christine, and my middle daughter, Marie - of course, Amber and Jason are in the center.

From Rightmyer Rants

Amber's 3 sisters: Cynthia Huffman, Christine Rightmyer, and Marie Huffman.

From Rightmyer Rants

Amber looks like she is already praying for guidance.

From Rightmyer Rants

Amber at the rehearsal dinner.

From Rightmyer Rants

Bride and Groom bottles decorating the buffet table.

From Rightmyer Rants

The cake - we didn't get a picture before cutting into it - oh well.

From Rightmyer Rants

Jason's parents - Tammy and Robby Wilham - and her sister-in-laws did a wonderful job on the rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow evening at 5:30 is the real deal.

Free Flowing Friday

1.) I guess everyone knows - the wedding is tomorrow!!! This subject is taking up most of my brain power this week, making it hard to concentrate on anything else. The girls all have nail appointments this morning, then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner are tonight. Then on Saturday, the wedding, at 5:30 ...

2.) Reading Laurell K. Hamilton's newest Anita Blake Vampire Hunter book - SKIN TRADE. I love Anita Blake and she is helping capture a few stress-free moments by taking my mind off the wedding for a little while.

3.) Did I mention the wedding is tomorrow?

4.) I'm going into work early this morning in hopes of getting away before 10:30 so I can attend a special program at the Mercer Public Library. Ruth Ann Fogle, aka Mother Flossie Upson, will be performing. This lady is hilarious! I met her back in the spring when we both read/performed at Penn's Store for the Kentucky Writers' Celebration.

5.) Does everyone know my oldest daughter is getting married tomorrow?

6.) I have to help my youngest daughter finish packing for her summer away at the Governor's School for the Arts. We have to take her to Transylvania University in Lexington the day after the wedding. She will be studying creative writing for the next 3 weeks.

7.) Did I forget to tell you about the wedding?

8.) I told myself I could go see LAND OF THE LOST because I was afraid it would ruin my image of the campy fun TV show from my childhood. Well, that was before the drive-in decided to show it this weekend. Hubby and I have plans to go watch it after the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner tonight. A little escapism before the wedding tomorrow.

9.) Tomorrow will be a ".......Nice day for a white wedding......."

10.) I'll leave you today with the SERENITY PRAYER - hoping it will help to keep me calm tonight and tomorrow:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

The Pressure is Building ....

.... and I'm going to explode - literally. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for years, but my daughter's wedding is about to push me over the edge.

I am so excited for her and her sweetie and I wish them a long and happy life together. I'm looking forward to having a son-in-law, 'cause I've never had a son. I'm looking forward to prospective grandchildren, 'cause I've missed having babies around.

But the stress and anxiety of having to be around my ex-husband and his family tomorrow for rehearsal and then on Saturday for the wedding and reception - it's just about more than I can handle.

So, if I don't post for a few days, someone may have to come looking for me - unless they cart me off to Ridge in a straight jacket ... then I'll have my hubby auction off my blog to the highest bidder.

Get Over It Already ....

..... When did the some Americans become so stupid? With all the horrors going on in the world today, a "fringe" group of Americans are upset because David Letterman told a bad joke. Poor Sarah Palin and her publicity seeking family! Makes me want to barf!

According to EW a few dozen people held a protest outside of Letterman's studio on Tuesday afternoon. One woman was videotaped screaming:

"Keep children safe from Letterman's mouth. He will rape them with his mouth. He is a child abuser. He is a verbal pedophile."

Can you believe that? I'm sure this woman is also an abortion protester who overlooks all the abused children living in orphanages and foster homes. The funny thing is, these people were upset over his off-color joke, but it didn't bother the protesters in the least to bad mouth Letterman's son and wife. Obviously, these zealots don't practice what they preach.

According to the Huffington Post:

"Tuesday afternoon's "Fire David Letterman" rally proved to be a failure, as it drew more press than activists. A crowd of 15 protesters upset with the late night comic held signs and occasionally shouted as they stood across the street from Letterman's studio."

Get a life, people - it was a joke, a stupid joke! Letterman has apologized to Palin and she has accepted - end of story. Sarah Palin's teenage daughter Bristol gave birth to baby Tripp (out-of-wedlock) in December and broke up with the baby's father, Levi Johnston, in March. She has also talked out AGAINST abstinence as a form of birth control. She is 18 years old - a legal adult - so if she and her mother can't take the heat, they need to both get out of the kitchen!

Way Back Wednesday - Pulp Fiction

The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino, who cowrote its screenplay with Roger Avary. The film is known for its rich, eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, and host of cinematic allusions and pop culture references. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It was also awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. A major critical and commercial success, it revitalized the career of its leading man, John Travolta, who received an Academy Award nomination, as did costars Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.

Quentin Tarantino uses his trademark nonlinear storytelling, so the narrative is presented out of sequence. Pulp Fiction is structured around three distinct but interrelated storyline - 1.) mob hitman Vincent Vega (Travolta) is the lead of the first story; 2.) prizefighter Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) is the lead of the second; and 3.) Vincent's fellow contract killer, Jules Winnfield (Jackson) is the lead of the third.

Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield are two hitmen on the hunt for a briefcase whose contents were stolen from their boss, Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). They run into a few unexpected detours along the road. Marsellus is out of town, and he's gotten Vincent to take care of his wife, Mia (Thurman), i.e., take her out for a night on the town. Things go smoothly until one of them makes a huge error. Butch Coolidge is a boxer who's been approached by Marsellus and been told to throw his latest fight. When Butch ends up killing the other boxer, he must escape Marsellus. Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer) are two lovebirds/thieves who have decided to rob the restaurant they're currently eating at. But the restaurant doesn't turn out to be as easy as the other places they've robbed.

Favorite quotes:

Jules: You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in France? .... A Royale with cheese.

Mia: I do believe Marsellus Wallace, my husband, your boss, told you to take ME out and do WHATEVER I WANTED. Now I wanna dance, I wanna win. I want that trophy, so dance good.

Butch: Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead.

Lance: Are you calling me on the cellular phone? I don't know you. Who is this? Don't come here, I'm hanging up the phone! Prank caller, prank caller!

Jules: If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.




WARNING: Rated R for strong graphic violence and drug use, pervasive strong language and some sexuality.

The Morning After WEEDS

Weeds - Season 5, Episode 2 - Machetes Up Top

Saddled with Cesar as her "babysitter", Nancy eventually gives him the slip so she can pay a secret visit to Guillermo (who's still in prision). Knowing she must keep this meeting hidden from Esteban, Nancy is truly frightened of the bitter Guillermo. It was hilarious watching Cesar get a pedicure, with the "fishes" eating the dead skin off his feet.

Nancy goes into self destructive mode when she realizes her unborn baby may not save her from a fate worse than death. I wasn't crazy about her downhill slide to bury her problems - I never like seeing a pregnant woman drink or smoke - but I can understand where she is coming from.

Andy ends up taking Shane to visit Nancy’s estranged sister, Jill. Of course, he ends up having sex with her - it seems Jill and Andy are both desparate for attention. Shane spies on his aunt and uncle by taking pictures of them on his cell phone.

Meanwhile, Doug and Silas learn the hard way that growing pot in a national forest on federal land is going to be a lot tougher than what they had earlier thought, especially when they are almost killed by other pot growers.

Poor Celia is now wanting to stay in the rebel camp with Gwen's boyfriend, telling him she has no other place to go. The whole scene was hilarious as Celia set about organizing the rebel's tent. This scene is where the episode title came from - she didn't know if the machetes should go on a top shelf.

It's going to be interesting to see what direction these storylines take. Not only does Nancy have to worry about Esteban killing her, now she has Guillermo threatening her.

And Fun Was Had By All ....

.... Yesterday was my mother-in-law's 85th birthday. It's easy to remember her birthday because it falls on Flag Day.

(My youngest daughter, Christine, with her grandmother and namesake, Christine H. Rightmyer)

We were invited to my Danville brother-in-law's home for a wonderful meal and fellowship.


The 3 Rightmyer boys with Mom: L to R; Don, Dick, Mom and Keith (my hubby)


The 3 daughter-in-laws plus the only grandchild present: L to R; Me, Bonnie, Mom, Martha and Christine (in front).

Normandi Ellis

Normandi Ellis - Kentucky author, Berea College teacher and Editor of Berea College Magazine - was the guest speaker at The Advanced Writer Workshop, lead by Tony Sexton on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Mercer County Public Library. She offered the class a "jump start" - a prompt to help start the writing process - in addition to talking about the publishing aspect of writing. She also read several passages from two of her books.

For more information on Normandi Ellis you can visit her website here.

Sarah Needs to Go Away ....

.... I'm about sick of Palin's attention seeking ways. Sen. John McCain may have pulled her into the limelight, but Sarah Palin is trying to wiggle her way into the high elite of the Republican party anyway she can.

I am truly sorry that David Letterman made a crude joke at her expense. Although it was several tasteless jokes, he did no worse than any other comedian - and believe me I have heard much, much worse.

But instead of letting the joke go at face value for what it was - a crude joke - Sarah saw an opportunity to get 15 more minutes of fame. She has complained because the media leaves President Obama's girls alone, but she is the one who threw her children into the spotlight. Obama has not paraded his children in front of every media outlet on the planet and he set down ground rules from the beginning. Which is what Palin should have done, but didn't.

She paraded those children - the pregnant one as well - out on stage during the RNC and continued to pull them into interviews and news reports. Now that the tide has turned on her future, she wants to put her children back in the Jeannie bottle.

Only it don't work that way. If you use your children to gain you points and sympathy, then you need to accept the consequences of your decision. It may not be right, but she made her children fair game - there is no one to blame but Sarah Palin.

I've had enough. As my Granny used to say:

"She made her bed, now she has to lay in it."

Skimming the Surface ...

... When it comes to me and my daughters, we all have similarities - our blue eyes, our petite noses and our thick hair - but we have many more differences. At the time my oldest two daughters were born, I was just sure they would both be exact little clones of me and their dad. Oh, how naive I was back then! Thankfully, our girls are not exact clones of us, athough my oldest has more traits like me, and the middle one has more of her dad's traits. Unfortunately, I think they inherited all our bad qualities.

(L-R: Christine, Marie, Amber - 1998)

Ten years after my first children was born, I was divorced from their father, had put myself through nursing school and become a RN and I was happily married to my current spouse - and we had our one and only child together.

I love my children equally, but because of the age difference, I've found myself growing very close to my youngest child, my baby. By the time Christine started to school, her older sisters were already out of the house. She has basically been raised as an only child.

One thing my youngest daughter and I have in common is our love of reading. I read to Christine when she was in the womb and I continued reading to her until she thought she was too old to be read to. When she was younger, we both enjoyed many of the same books and we discovered new books together. We both fell in love with HARRY POTTER and then she discovered her own love of LORD OF THE RINGS.

Then a funny thing happened when my baby entered high school. I quickly noticed her reading interests were taking a serious turn from my reading interests. No longer content with serial books, main stream books or bestsellers, my daughter was reading such authors as Iain Banks, Chuck Palahniuk, Jeffrey Eugenides and Cormac McCarthy. Where I love to read Stephen King, Laurell K. Hamilton and Patricia Cornwell, she would much rather be reading Annie Proulx, Chris Bohjalian and Irvine Welsh.

Quickly my daughter's reading skills and absorption rate ran circles around mine. No longer content with fluffy reads and predictable story lines, her reading was a means to absorb more information about the world around her. I tell everyone:

.... My daughter loves to dig deep and find meaning,
And just like to skim along the surface and have fun ...

Although I miss the times when I would read Christine to sleep, we have adapted new reading rituals to observe. We still read together, we just read different books. The joy is being present in the same room or even on the same couch and enjoying the atmosphere of reading.

Am I sad because my daughter has bypassed me intellectually? No, I am so proud of her and I wouldn't change a thing. Just as my daughter understands I like to escape into my books and try to read away daily stresses.

Now, I you'll excuse me, I need to do some skimming ...

Sons of Beaches ...

... I thought small town living was supposed to give you a quiet life with minimal mischief from vandals and thieves. Apparently, I was mistaken.

At some point last night, someone broke into both my car and my hubby's truck - parked in our driveway in front of our home. Both of our doors were locked - but I left my hatchback unlocked, so they crawled in through the back. I had nothing of value in my car, so they just ransacked it.

My hubby's truck, on the other hand, they pryed the sliding back windows open and stole his Sirius radio and antenna, the GPS, his leather WLEX bag, power cords and the checkbook. He's on his way to the bank to put a stop payment on the checks right now. Of course, we had a severe storm roll through this morning and the inside of his truck got soaked.

Sons of beaches.........

Way Back Wednesday - Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is a 1994 comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was the top grossing film of 1994 in North America. The film won a total of 6 Academy Award - including Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Director (Robert Zemeckis), and Best Actor (Tom Hanks).

"Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him."

Forrest Gump tells the story of a man with a borderline intellectual disability and his epic journey through life meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture and experiencing first-hand historic events of the late 20th century while being largely unaware of their significance.

The movie starts with what will become an iconic feather falling to the feet of Forrest Gump who is sitting at a bus stop in Savannah, Georgia. Forrest picks up the feather and puts it in the book Curious George, then tells the story of his life to a woman seated next to him. The listeners at the bus stop change regularly throughout his narration, each showing a different attitude ranging from disbelief and indifference to rapt veneration.


STARRING:
Tom Hanks ... Forrest Gump
Robin Wright Penn ... Jenny Curran (as Robin Wright)
Gary Sinise ... Lt. Dan Taylor
Mykelti Williamson ... Pvt. Benjamin Buford 'Bubba' Blue
Sally Field ... Mrs. Gump

My family loves this movie. It is a great family movie that makes you remember the important things in life, instead of worrying all about life's stresses.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Forrest: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Mrs. Gump: You have to do the best with what God gave you.

Forrest: Mama always said, dying was a part of life.

Forrest: And cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doin it so much, I cut that grass for free.

Lt. Dan: Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?
Forrest: I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.

Forrest: Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was ever going somewhere, I was running!

Forrest: Stupid is as stupid does.

Forrest: That's all I have to say about that.