FARRAH'S STORY * DELUSIONS OF GRANDMA * THE CHRISTMAS BOX

Farrah's Story - Farrah Fawcett just died a few days ago after living with cancer for 3 or 4 years, and I had taped this documentary made by her friends and aired about a month ago. I had never gotten around to watching it...too sad, but wanted to see it eventually. Last night seemed like the right time, and it was very sad and very real and she was incredibly honest to share the private and intimate details of her life and medical decisions and treatments. By going to Germany for experimental treatments, she lived almost a year and a half longer than her original prognosis from Drs in LA. This was filmed and produced with amazing love by Farrah's friend Alana Stewart. None of us really knows what we'd do if faced with Farrah's challenges, but here's one way. At the end she asks some important questions which form a commentary for our times and our way of dispensing medicine in America. Rest In Peace Farrah.

Delusions of Grandma - by Carrie Fisher - After reading that last non-fiction book by Carrie, I wanted to read the rest of her work. This is about Cora, daughter of an Academy Award winning costume designer. It's cleverly written with lots of fun twisty words and phrases. Very witty and very quick. Quick wit, not necessarily quick to read. I've got two more of Carrie's books to go, but first will probably read something else.

The Christmas Box - This is one of those small hardcover gifty books that is really a short story. It's sweet, and the moral is to pay attention to your children while they are with you, because it goes by fast and then they'll be gone. This is no problem for me. Being a mom is the best thing ever.

It's a perfect sunny and 75 degree Monday morning. I had this idea that I'd spend two days being only creative, and in fact, I'm going to really really try. However, here's my list of things to do today. Write on my blog. Get a cashier's check from the bank and send it to someone from Craigslist in CA for two well-priced extra placesettings of my china. Iron.(The ironing pile is quite big) Find and put art supplies on porch for a Freecycler. Go to Dave's Rock Shop in Evanston and buy a round not-too-soft cabachon that I will learn to set in Wednesday's class. Read the paper. Go for a beach walk. Make sure there isn't anything on my kitchen desk that needs to be addressed. Bead. Sew. Put a few things on Craigslist. This is the short list. If we went to the long list, it's unbelievable. Some people would be able to complete these tasks with dispassion and speed. Not me. I've got to think about everything. Distract myself with calls, straighten and organize as I go along. And I forgot to mention how I still have to go through our bill files for 2008 and update them for 2009. Hmmm. OK, call Susan about the beach walk first. Get that on the schedule. Call the person in California to find out where to send the check. Shower and dress. Go to the bank for the check. Go to Dave's Rock Shop. Come home and bead. Bead first and save those other things for in between jobs on another day. Or a rainy day. And check off the first thing on the list. Yea!

SECRET LIFE OF BEES * GARAGE SALING

Secret Life of Bees - This was our selection for the neighborhood movie group last night and it was a wonderful movie. It's a coming of age movie about Lily (Abigail Breslin) who runs away from home to a place she thinks might offer clues about her mother who died when she was little. It takes place in the south in 1964, just after the Civil Rights Act was signed by Lyndon Johnson. She and her friend Rosalie end up at the honey farm of August Boatwright and her sisters, June and May. The cast is supurb and includes Queen Latifa, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys. An absolute must see. Whenever we had a small intermission, all kinds of interesting conversations were sparked by the goings on in the moive. There is not one moment to miss in this one.

This morning my friends Debby and Barbara picked me up and off we went for a great day of friendship, fun and saling. Garage saling that is! We saw it all. From a couple of oldy moldy sales to a lovely art sale given by two sisters and their daughters. They've been collecting vintage tablecloths, handkerchiefs, flowery dishes and fabrics for years. They sew, make jewelry, take pictures, frame, make mosiacs. Cool music was playing as we meandered past and enjoyed their lovely and colorful handcrafted wares. Our artistic hostesses were so friendly that it was like a fun tea party. They were really clever with decopage too. It was the best day. Especially since I'd be coming home to a clean and neat house. (Because movie night was here last night and I got the place shaped up). What a nice start to the weekend!

APPLES AND ORANGES * THE PENELOPIAD

Apples and Oranges by Marie Brenner - This non-fiction memior details the relationship between a sister and her distant 3-year-older brother. The author is a journalist and decided to use her skills as a researcher and reporter to explore and improve their relationship. This was easier said than done: if I'm reading her quotes correctly, big brother was obsessive compulsive, condescending, rude and slightly overbearing. They never specifically fought; she was often quiet in response to his rudeness, sometimes defending herself although mostly to no avail. They are in their early 50s now and the author researches past generations in the family to try to explain the relationship in the current generation. The story takes place in Texas, Mexico and Washington state. It's a good read. Marie has a way of endearing and honoring each person despite their foibles. It would be easy to label her brother and some of their reletives, but she doesn't go there. It's written with intelligence, compassion and love.
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood - This was a sweet little summer read. Who knew? It's the tale of Odysseus's wife Penelope. While Oddyseus was galavanting around trying to get home after the Trojan War (he was gone for 20+ years) Penelope held down the fort so to speak at Ithaca. When Oddyseus returned home, there was some bloodshed, well, quite a bit of bloodshed, for which Penelope takes some responsibility. One need only know scant outlines of the stories of Odysseus and Helen of Troy in order to enjoy this book. Sort of an elevated Chick Lit I'd say.

MY LATEST GRIEVANCE * HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE

My Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman is a very readable story taking place on the campus of a small womens' college in Boston in the late 1970s. The narrator is Frederika, a girl who's grown up on campus, living with her houseparents parents. She's very precocious, and discovers that her father was married briefly before he met mer mother, and that this first wife is coming to town. I enjoyed Frederika's voice, and her sometimes snarky take on things (I'm loving that word, snarky lately). There are lots of twists and turns in this little soap opera, and I loved that at the end the author tied it all up with a bow. This is my version of beach reading. Enjoy!

Harold and Kumar Escape - My son and his friend watched this and I heard them laughing and laughing throughout the whole movie. Knowing it would be "inappropriate", inane, low and lower, I watched it that night. Yup. I had it right, and there are some parts that you just want to cover your eyes (the party at their friend's house just after they escape), and others that are so funny they'll stay with you for a long time. (Their party with W). I'm still chuckling, but if you're not into degenerate humor, you might want to skip this one! Here's a link to the Trailer.

THINGS THAT PASS FOR LOVE * GET SMART

There is nothing like finishing a book on a lazy Sunday morning.
Things That Pass for Love by Allison Amend is a collection of modern quirky short stories. For some reason, the second story went slowly for me. I like to read one a night, and then when I'm ready to finish the book, I read them all the rest in a row which is what happened this morning. Each story completely different from the one before, these characters are down to earth yet exist in situations that are made so interesting by the author.

Last night was fun. We went to the non-surprise 40th birthday party of a family friend, and at a point between the food and cake, her husband asked everyone to go outside. Everyone was out there except the birthday girl, and suddenly husband of the year drives up in a shiny blue 40th Anniversary edition Corvette with a bow on it! The birthday girl came out and screamed. It was the best surprise and so much fun. The 40th for her 40th. Perfect.

Get Smart - Such a fun movie with Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. Unfortunately these two didn't really study every episode of Get Smart, or there would have been many more better moments of Max and 99. This was Get Smart light all watered down for the 2000s and Steve Carell style. Glad I didn't go to the movies for this one. Having just watched the entire series of Get Smart recently, I wished for it to be more true to the original. Here are Don Adams and Barbara Feldon as the original Max and 99. She was beautiful and he was bumbling and they were fabulous:

CHANGLING * W

Changeling - with Angelina Jolie as a 1920's era single working mom. From the minute it starts until the last second of the movie, we were in its grip. I used to think that I'd love to have lived during the 1920s, but not now. This movie is comprised of a few different story lines, each one intense and compelling. Angelina is an amazing actress.

W - I probably could've done without this one. We've seen so many good movies that a mediocre one is more of a let down than usual. Too bad Oliver Stone didn't make this one before GWBush ever dreamed of the presidency. I wonder if would have made a difference? For me, there were no surprises. Maybe that's the problem. So happy to have an intelligent thinking compassionate person in the White House.

GRAN TORINO

Clint Eastwood never disappoints. We loved this movie which happens on so many levels and encompasses so many themes. Of course a movie taking place in Detroit and with a title car has a head start! Add to that a crochety old guy, immigrant neighbors, street tension and lots of regular old house and yard settings - you wouldn't normally thing these were the ingredients for excellence. But they are, and the movie is wonderful.
It will be with me for awhile. My dad would've loved this one. Clint is the man. We even enjoyed the Special Features which were discussions about guys and their cars. Maybe it's a Detroit thing, but I still remember my first car, a silver with black interior 1975 Firebird. It started clicking (lifters) in the rain, so I sold it after a year and bought a 1978 Camaro LT. I loved loved loved that car. It was maroon with a fabric camel interior and clear T Roofs. My license plates were simply "DSP". I drove it for three years until it was stolen 2 weeks after I moved to Evanston. Sometimes I hate this place. The Chicago police called me a few weeks later at 3 in the morning to tell me that they had it in a pound and it had been stripped. Going to that pound was an experience. The theives had even taken the fabric panels off the doors. All my paperwork from the glove compartment was scattered around the empty interior. I took my license plates and a Camaro emblem that escaped their notice, and I still have that stuff in a shoe box in the basement. At least I think I do. I might have gotten rid of it last year. I only have a couple of pictures of the car. I loved it. It was one-of-a-kind, because the guy I bought it from's Dad worked for GM and ordered it off the line without a center console. It had a very open and airy interior. It didn't have a spoiler and it didn't have a hood scoop. It was like this car, only maroon: The interior was beautiful as previously mentioned. I found this photo showing the correct color: This picture really brings back the memories...

BOOKS & MOVIES * MOVIES & BOOKS

While renting a game for my son at Blockbuster, I asked if there were any specials, and sure enough, for $15.00 for a week, we could rent 2 at a time games and movies. So we're taking them up on it and watching movies every night. There are so many good ones, but as always, some particular standouts.
Milk - Nominated for the Best Picture oscar, in another year, this would have won, but against Slumdog and Benjamin Button, the competition was amazing. Milk is the true story of Harvey Milk, the San Francisco City Supervisor who was shot and killed with the mayor of SF in 1978. Sean Penn plays Harvey, and takes us back to the Castro, in San Francisco in the 1970s. Excellent.
He's Not That Into You - This was the first movie I chose, because I didn't realize how great Milk would be. Steve and I both enjoyed this fun chick flick. Very current, very witty watching. Lots of stars show up for the fun.
Swing Vote - With Kevin Costner is a another fun movie. He's a great actor, and I love it when he plays these cranky sarcastic old guys. In this case, it's about a hypothetical situation that could occur if the vote for president camethisclose. Glad I waited for the DVD. Could have waited for free On Demand.
Risky Business - I've been waiting for my son to be old enough to see this one, so we had a family movie night. I've only seen it about a million times, and will probably watch it a million more. The best of the average kid wants to go to a good college movie genre. There are so many good lines in this movie; "Princeton could use a guy like Joel" is my personal favorite.
Made of Honor - Patrick Dempsey is so darling, and this is a great little movie. Steve liked it so much that he said it wasn't a chick flick, but yeah, it is. We really enjoyed it.
Blow Up - We watched this 1966 really really bad movie On Demand last week. It couldn't have moved more slowly. Everyone involved with this must have been high. It was awful. About a photographer in London who sees a dead body in the blow up of one of his photos. Blah Blah Blah. Was there even one good movie made in the sixties?
I'll try to report on this later. There must have been.
Today I want to watch W and Changling, unless Gran Torino is in, then I'll get that and we'll see where we are. This has been a fun week.

Show Of Hands by Anthony McCarten is a novel about a group of people in London who decide to join a contest to win a Land Rover. The person who keeps their hand on the car the longest wins it. I enjoyed this immensely. The characters, the story, the twists and the ending were all so satisfying. Not emotional, just satisfying.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay - I like to save the best for last. So if you're still reading, it was worth your while, because I couldn't put this book down. Read it in one of my two day reading marathons. Takes place in Paris and outskirts in 1942 and 2002. I won't say one more thing. Just read it.

21 * FIREFLIES IN DECEMBER

I'd been keeping my eye out on the current dvd shelf at the library for ages, and it was never available, so the other day I checked the no longer new all jumbled in with all the movies of all time shelves, and there it was. 21 - Kevin Spacey and his ensemble cast, including the actor who starred in Across the Universe play an MIT professor and 5 students who fly to Las Vegas to win at Blackjack and make lots of money....every weekend. We also watched all of the special features and learned the prevailing method of counting cards. Sort of a Risky Business meets Rainman. I so glad that it was Kevin Spacey playing the prof rather than Tom C, though. There's nothing like Spacey's sarcasm and dry delivery. Lawrence Fishburn's in here too. A good movie.

The Hills - Last night was Lauren's last episode, and Heidi and Spencer finally had that big all out church wedding. I love this show. I don't know whether I'll be able to stay with it if Lauren's practical self isn't there to ground everyone. Without her, there's no telling what these people will get up to. Sometimes this one is all too much to think about. Mind candy.

I recently struck out with three books. nothing worse than reading page after page, hoping that some character will say or do something, anything to make you care to turn the page. Two were some kind of detective mysteries, the third was a Virginia Wolfe and her sister historical fiction kind of a thing. Not many pages into the Virginia book I remembered Mrs. Dalloway and the other one that I read a couple of years ago, and said NO MORE! Is there no more dry and depressing author than Virginia? Oh yeah, a Virginia wanna-be. Then I picked up
Fireflies in December - by Jennifer Erin Valent - Here are the first few lines:
"The summer I turned thirteen, I thought I'd killed a man. That's a heavy burden for a girl to hang on to, but it didn't surprise me so much to have that trouble come in the summertime. Every bad thing that ever happened to me seemed to happen in those long months."
And I was off. Takes place in the 1930s in the south and it's Christian Lit which I didn't realize but didn't mind. Just a great story. However, if you've never read To Kill a Mockingbird, and you're about to read this, let me just encourage you to not read this particular book, but to go straight to To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 'Cause that's the book you really want to read. It's the gold standard.