Let us go then, you and I...

The girls and I went to see Mama Mia! this evening with my friend Tricia. What fun we had!!! The movie is so lively and upbeat. Although yes, there was one scene that had my eyes watering...a scene where the mother is singing about her daughter growing up...I was holding Ginger's hand and the song really moved me, blah, blah I'm a big fat crybaby, whatever... :)

The performances were fantastic. I was surprised at how well everyone sang. Meryl Streep totally rocked on "The Winner Takes It All", she really belted it out with feeling. She also got the emotions across on "Slipping Through My Fingers" (which is the one that got me snifflin').

Of course it's not a movie of great depth - hey, it's based on ABBA songs, what can you expect?! But it is full of exuberance, an attractive cast and gorgeous - absolutely stunning - scenery. (And any movie with Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth is ok in my books!) We had so much fun, we bought the soundtrack...and Miss Ninja has already told me that we are buying the dvd the minute it comes out.

Here's a taste:

If you're looking for a fun, boisterous, musical evening out, this movie's for you!

City of Angels was apparently panned by the critics, but I love this movie. It gets me everytime I watch, tissues at hand, as I weep my way through. I cry at the scenes of intense longing, at the scenes of heartbreak, at the scenes of newfound joy...Miss Ninja was right, I really am a wimp!!

I don't know what to think about Meg Ryan...in the abstract, I have it in my head that I don't care for her acting, but inevitably I find her performances quite moving or quirky. She was wonderful in this vulnerable role.

Nicolas Cage, on the other hand, well now he's a another story...let's just say he's way up there on my laminated list. (A friend of Miss Ninja's said "the old guy from National Treasure - eeEW!" Apparently he's an acquired taste...I'd think it was just an age thing but she adores Johnny Depp, who's actually a tad older than Cage!) I love his intensity in this movie.

Ginger and I watched City of Angels this evening (I just bought it - found it in a bargain bin and couldn't resist)...she had not seen it before, and had no idea what to expect but judging from her reaction, it packed an emotional punch for her too. I'll ask her for her thoughts tomorrow since it's pretty late and she's gone off to bed. (I, on the other hand, will be up until 2am or so, waiting for Miss Ninja...she went to Newfoundland with a friend and her family. They planned to return earlier this evening, but the ferry was delayed for about 4 hours. I'll be a cranky girl tomorrow at work - I best warn my coworkers to run away, run away!!)

The City of Angels soundtrack is also wonderful, especially Sarah McLachlin's Angel, shown here:

Yikes, it's hard to snap a decent photo of a scattering kitten! I thought I'd post a couple photos since she's grown so much since the last batch, but...holy moly, she's a whirling dervish this afternoon. Here's what I managed to capture.

I wonder what's in the living room...

Ooo, a pillow to chew on...

Let's see what things look like from this angle...

Well, not much goin' on up top, let's see what's down below...

See my pretty paws...

Later dude, I'm outta here...

A few weeks ago, I posted that I had won Jill's contest.

This is just the quickest of entries to say that my book arrived in the mail on Friday!!

I plan to dive in as soon as I finish reading "Tempting Faith DiNapoli"...which will likely be tonight as I have only a few pages to go. I'm almost disappointed to finish it though because is such a great read. It's funny and sad and silly and serious and full of "hey, that happened to me, too" moments...you know, those little everyday embarrassments or thrills that happen during childhood and teenhood, but which rarely get written about because many authors stick to the "big issues". There are big issues in here too, mind you, but surrounded by insightful and fascinating everyday stuff. Seems to have gotten mixed reviews, but I am enjoying it very much.

Anyway, as for the newest addition to my library - "I Capture the Castle" - thanks a mill, Jill :) I like the bookmark, too. (Oh and Ginger says she loves your handwriting.)

Yesterday I posted about friends, today I will post some words about sisters...

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."
~ Clara Ortega

"Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling."
~ Pam Brown

"A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double."
~ Toni Morrison

"For there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather, to cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands."
~ Christina G. Rossetti

Here I am with my own sister in the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest:
(Note to self: take more photos with my sister!! I realized how few I have when looking for some to add to this post. I will have to go through my old albums and scan a few...will add those later.)
Found one!

Continue reading "Sisters, sisters" »

Not so long ago, a friend sent this to me:

"I really enjoy sharing stories with you and getting to know you better. There are some people in my journey who, in the words of Anne of Green Gables, are “Kindred Spirits”. I feel that when I am with you. Just wanted you to know that."

I was reminded of her beautiful expression of friendship today when I came across the very words she referenced:

“A bosom friend - an intimate friend, you know - a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul”
~ From “Anne of Green Gables”, by L.M. Montgomery

Or, to put it another way (yes, this drawing is actually titled "Kindred Spirits"):

(I came across this on another blog and it totally tickles my funny bone...)

"Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun."
~ Charles R. Swindoll

Continue reading "A friend by any other name..." »

Fellow ST blogger Deborah dedicated her current trip to her dear friend Susie. She also made this request to her blog readers and Slow Travel friends:

As you visit the great and small houses of faith around the world -- will you light a candle for Susie?

I am in my church choir and in the whirl of last minute practice, donning gowns, and preparing our hearts, minds and voices for worship, song and prayer, I'm afraid I have not had the opportunity to photograph the lighting of the Christ candle in my church. (In my church we do not have votive candles to light personally.)

But I have lit a candle here in Susie's honour.

The process of lighting a candle in cyberspace was more peaceful than I had anticipated. At each step, you can take as much time as you need to gather your thoughts and wrap your love and prayers around the people in your mind.

After I finished, the message said the candle will only stay 'lit' for 48 hours, but I took this screen capture to keep my candle lit forever.

In any case, my prayer for Susie will not be extinguished.

Peace and blessings to all...