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.

The Morning After Weeds ....

... and it was so nice to see all the Botwins again! The season 5 premiere picked up right where it left on in season 4. Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) is still in Esteban's (Demián Bichir) office waiting for his reaction to her news that she is pregnant - "And it feels like a boy."


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

Of course, the ugly part of the show started out quick as well, with Cesar (Enrique Castillo) killing 2 men in the office, right in front of Nancy. This, naturally, freaks her out - hell it would me, too.

Once at home, Nancy tells Andy (Justin Kirk) she is pregnant, and he has a mini breakdown of his own. Doug (Kevin Nealon) is still hanging around and he is his usual stoned self.


As for Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Shane (Alexander Gould) - little Shane has really grown up!! He and Silas are now almost the same size. Silas is making plans with Doug to start a farm somewhere in the National Park - this cannot end well. On the other hand, it looks like Shane is being shipped off to live with kooky aunt Jill (who will be played by Jennifer Jason Leigh) - oh, and he's still selling pot. E-gads, what a tangled web they weave!

Which brings us to poor Celia (Elizabeth Perkins) - she is still being held hostage by her daughter, Quinn (Haley Hudson), and Quinn's boyfriend. The boyfriend has been calling everyone in Celia's phone trying to get ransom money, but he strikes out at every call. Nobody wants Celia back!

This season has started off with a bang and I can't wait to see what interesting and new direction the show takes. Previews show Nancy visiting Guillermo in prison, so it's nice to know he will still be around. As for Cesar - I don't trust him one little bit. He looks like the type of man who could turn on his boss (Esteban) just to tie up loose ends - and he sees Nancy as a loose end.

Reruns will be on all week, so try to catch it if you can ....

It's Time to Burn ...

... with BURN NOTICE, that is. Me and my hubby are both huge TV fans - what, say it ain't so - and we are always looking for new programs to watch. Although we don't enjoy the reality shows - with the exception of LITTLE PEOPLE BIG WORLD, HELL'S KITCHEN and THE F WORD - that seems to be all that is on anymore. And with Jay Leno going to 5 "primetime" nights a week, what's a TV loving couple like us supposed to do?

Enter BURN NOTICE, currently seen on the USA channel. I had a friend highly recommend this series, so we thought it would be fun to watch the first few episodes to see if we would enjoy it. Last week, in preparing for the 3rd season premiere, USA ran a BURN NOTICE marathon, so we were able to DVR the first 2 season. Yesterday was the first opportunity we've had to watch TV together all week.

Yeah, I know, we should have been outside enjoying the sunshine, but I'm just not a sunshine kind of girl. Don't get me wrong, I love my gardens and my flowers, but my favorite time for working in the garden is early in the morning or after the sun has gone down. Sorry, I digress ....


So, we watched the pilot episode, then we moved on to the next episode, and by episode #3, we were hooked - hook, line and sinker! This show has everything: a hunky leading man (Jeffrey Donovan), a gorgeous ex-girlfriend (Gabrielle Anwar), and a funny side kick (Bruce Campbell)- not to mention a cooky mother (Sharon Gless). The episodes are fast paced and action filled and they leave you wanting more.

Check it out - season 3 of BURN NOTICE is now available on HULU. Tell 'em Aunt Bobbi sent ya!

Harper's Island ...

... one by one ...

Only 5 more episodes before the end of Harper's Island - who else will die before the end?



Harper's Island is even more cheesier than the summer of 1980 and Dallas', "Who shot J.R.?" This delicious thriller/mystery is going to keep us guessing until the very last minute. Who will be the last person on Harper's Island? As of last night's episode, the body count is now 13. There are only 16 main characters left on the Island - will they all be wiped out??

Harper's Island is a horror thriller/mystery mini series created by Ari Schlossberg for CBS. The series premiered on April 9, 2009 and will have only one season comprising 13 episodes. The premise of the show is simple - many years ago John Wakefield killed 6 people on the Island - he was supposedly shot and killed by Abby's father, Sheriff Charlie Mills. One of these people Wakefield killed was Abby Mills' mother. Now Abby has returned to Harper's Island, after a 10 year absence, for the wedding of her best friend, Henry Dunn. Upon Abby's return, a copy-cat murder spree has started, mimicking the killings of Wakefield

In almost every episode, one or more characters have been killed off. CBS assures us all questions will be answered in the 13th episode. During the proudction of the mimi-series, the actors and actresses were not told about their deaths until the day that each script was given.

UP, Up and Away....

... in my beautiful, my beautiful ba...l...loon... Or maybe balloons carrying a house?

Hubby and I just got home from seeing UP at the drive-in. What a cute story! I told the hubby the movie was a mixture of PIXAR and THE NOTEBOOK. Seriously!

"... By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip ..."

Carl Fredricksen is my new hero for 2009. He has the heart of an adventurer, locked in the body of an old man who grieves for the love of his life. To see and hear the love Carl had for Ellie - theirs is the epic love story of myths.

Still wallowing in the cocoon of grief, Carl is suddenly inundated with the presence of a young adventurer - Russell - who's main goal is to earn his Wilderness badge for helping Old People.

When Carl decides to tie hundreds of helium balloons to his house, he and Russell take off on the wonderful adventure that should have been his and Ellie's trip. Along the way, the duo befriends Dug the dog and Kevin the mystery bird.

This movie made me cry and it made me laugh - it totally changed my frame of mind. I was in a pretty foul mood before going to the drive-in, but after seeing UP, my worries seem far away.

This is the first "feel good" movie of 2009. It is a great family movie and a great date movie. It is an adventure movie and a love story. It has a little from both worlds, so men and female will equally enjoy this movie.

Edward Asner ... Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner)
Christopher Plummer ... Charles Muntz (voice)
Jordan Nagai ... Russell (voice)
Bob Peterson ... Dug / Alpha (voice)
Delroy Lindo ... Beta (voice)
Jerome Ranft ... Gamma (voice)
John Ratzenberger ... Construction Foreman Tom (voice)
David Kaye ... Newsreel Announcer (voice)

Free Flowing Friday ...

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1.) Don't think I'm going to be able to force myself to go see LAND OF THE LOST. I've ready too many bad reviews, and although I don't always agree with bad reviews, I don't like Will Ferrell and all his bathroom humor - most reviews make mention of the silly bathroom humor. I just don't want to spoil my memory of this campy, funny childhood show. Just because you take the name of the show and the name of the characters doesn't mean there will be a pleasant outcome.

2.) I've started a new young adult book series, this one by Tom Lloyd. THE STORMCALLER is the first book in the new Twilight Reign series. Magical creatures and a flawed hero, so far Lloyd has done a great job of creating a new world of fantasy fiction. The 2nd book is THE TWILIGHT HERALD and the 3rd book is THE GRAVE THIEF. The 4th book - THE RAGGED MAN - will not be released until 2010.

3.) The wedding is only 2 weeks away - yikes!!!

4.) Instead of working on a book I've been writing, I've gone off on a tangent working on a totally new piece. The muse is fluid and hot and I've already gotten just over 2,100 words today. I don't know if it's any good, but my muse sure wants to write the story.

5.) I plan to take some soft-wood cuttings this weekend: mock orange, curly willow, pussy willow and several climbing roses. I've had good luck with all these, except the roses - I've never tried to root a rose cutting. I also want to try some grafts on my apple and pear trees and a red oak tree. With one acre to cover, I need all the free starts I can get.

6.) I must do something with the mop I call my hair. For the past 2 years, I've been letting my natural color grow in, so now my hair is at least 5 different colors. Thinking I was just going to let the gray grow out, I was happy with my plan, until my hubby said he doesn't want me to keep my gray hair. Crushed, my hair is about the only thing I'm vain about, so I'm sure I'll color it and maybe try a new haircut. If I do it this weekend, I'll have time to work with it before the wedding.

7.) I'm hoping the Farmer's Market will have some raspberries this weekend, but if they don't, I'll get more strawberries. I plan to make more jam on Saturday - this will make 3 weekends in a row I've made jam.

8.) I mixed up some no-knead bread dough yesterday and all I need to do is let it rise today and it will be ready for the oven later this evening. Homemade bread and yeast rolls - yummy!!

9.) My Netflix DVD for this weekend will be THE SHINING - not the Jack Nicholas version, but the Stephen Weber mini-series version from television. This movie follows the book much more closely than the big screen movie. Stephen King has stated this is his favorite version of THE SHINING as well - he was not pleased with Stanley Kubrick's version.

10.) And last but not least, I have to finish scanning in Amber and Jason's childhood photos for the church. They will be running a slideshow just before the wedding.

The Day It Rained Forever

(Artwork copy right of V.VASILEV-M.ATANASOVA)

The Day It Rained Forever
By Eurythmics

♪ ♪ Once upon a time there was a funny girl
Who fell for a funny boy
They built a funny house and made some funny kids
And christened it the house of holy joy

If forever meant forever that was the place
Or so she told her friends
But the city took her lovers to another world
Left her waiting for the flowers to bloom again

And she laughed
And she cried
She damn near died
On the day it rained forever

She walked around the garden with an empty mind
Feeling tired and worn
Not exactly sure what she was meant to find
Heaven knows maybe a rose without a thorn

She laughed
She cried
She damn near died
On the day it rained forever ♪ ♪

Throw Down on Late Night ...

... lucky white rabbits, lucky white rabbits.

Now that Conan O'Brien has taken over the coveted 11:30 late night spot, Jimmy Fallon has moved up to run head to head against Craig Ferguson. I like Jimmy well enough - I loved him on SNL - but he seems stiff in his role as a late night host.

Craig is going to wipe the stage with Jimmy's little carcass!! According to CBS, Craig is already pulling away from Jimmy in the ratings.

Last night, Craig challenged Jimmy to an on-air, naked wrestling competition ... where do I sign up for tickets??

But don't take my word for it, check out Craig for yourself - 12:30 Monday - Friday on CBS.

What is the World Coming To ...?

... this is just so sad - WLEX TV18:

A Kentucky infant is dead and police have charged the baby's 14-year-old mother and 19-year-old father with murder.

Kentucky State Police said the 20-month-old boy was brought to the Wayne County Emergency Room just after 11 p.m. Saturday. Autopsy results showed the baby swallowed a chemical liquid used to make meth.

The child's mother, who is not being named and 19-year-old father, Bryan Daniels are charged with murder and manufacturing methamphetamine.

Police also charged 26-year-old Danny Anderson, 24-year-old James Hunt, 21-year-old Alisha Dicken and 24-year-old Wesley Bell with making the drug.

There is a special place in HELL for these types of people. Putting your own whacked-out needs before a defenseless baby - this is true sickness...