Saturday movie review: Brooklyn

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Immigration is a hot topic right now, though most of the talk focuses on negative aspects related to those who seek a better life, legally or not, in America the beautiful. In stark contrast to the anger, ire, and divisiveness the word elicits in today's heated (and hate-filled) political climate, immigration as depicted in the Oscar-nominated film BROOKLYN inspires and warms the heart, focuses on possibility and positivity.

I far prefer BROOKLYN's take on the topic.

brooklyn movie poster

The romantic drama BROOKLYN tells the story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) who, in the '50s, left her homeland of Ireland in search of the American dream. Eilis' older sister, Rose...

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Rest in peace, Lyla girl

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In 2009, our youngest daughter, Andrea, adopted a frightened little stray from The Denver Dumb Friends League. The little girl — about two years old, they guessed — had roamed the city streets on her own most of her life, it seemed.

Andie took in the black lab/shepherd mix, fittingly named her Lyla — which means "black as night" in Persian — and gave her a happy home and lots of love.

black lab/shepherd mix

Then Andrea gave her to us, months later, when it was clear Lyla needed a yard to run in and Andie's apartment didn't provide that.

Lyla had issues, to say the least. Psychological ones, likely...

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Perfection... no effort required

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“About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age.” 
― Gloria Pitzer

Most days I agree wholeheartedly with cookbook author Gloria Pitzer's quote above. I put in a fair amount of effort — and thoughts on how to most effectively put forth said effort — toward being a halfway decent wife, mother, friend, human being.

The same is true regarding my attempts to achieve something at least halfway close to pleasing when fiddling about with photography. I take a jazillion photos, choose one that's perhaps meh, then...

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Weekend at the Y, plus GRAND Social No. 195 link party for grandparents

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Weekend at the Y

Welcome back! Those of you who follow me on Instagram may already know this from the photos I've shared the past few days, but I spent this past weekend at the Y. The YMCA of the Rockies, to be exact, for a log-cabin stay focusing on multigenerational travel and all the fun to be had at the amazing resort-like property located in Estes Park, Colorado.

The multiple generations staying at the Y with me and Jim were Brianna (our oldest daughter), her fiance Patrick, and Patrick's son whom we all know here on Grandma's Briefs by his bloggy nickname, Bud. Our first picture upon settling in at our cozy cabin Friday night:

 

We had a super time at the aaah-mazing YMCA, and I have much to share with you. But we arrived home late Sunday evening (which is when I'm writing this) and I've...

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Saturday movie review: Far from the Madding Crowd

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I have a confession: When it comes to reading classic literature, I'm woefully lacking. Though I vaguely recall reading a few classics in high school and college literature classes, I'm relatively ignorant of most classics that seem common knowledge among many of my more educated friends.

Another confession: Every time I've seen mentions of Thomas Hardy's 1874 classic, Far from the Madding Crowd, my mind interpreted the M-word in the title as maddening, not madding. Forever. Even up to my pressing play on the movie FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD and through to the end of my screening of the romantic drama over Valentine's Day weekend. It was only after I pressed stop that I realized the word is madding.

Did I mention my ignorance?

Far from the Madding Crowd movie

Thank heavens for films based on classic novels for I now...

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