Captured Colors 

See My New Puppy?

Johhny Depp in The Man Who Cried

Of course in discussing any Johnny Depp films, we have to have at least one close up shot of his face in the role he is playing.

Although not particularly true in this instance, there have been a few times that when he makes his first appearance on the screen in a movie I have not seen, it takes a minute for me to realize oh, there's Johnny! He truly steps right into the character completely.

Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci demonstrates such talent in her starring role for The Man Who Cried.

The Man Who Cried

Last night we viewed The Man Who Cried on our own home theatre.

Christina Ricci is in the starring role, along with Johnny Depp. Also playing a major part is Cate Blanchett. We've enjoyed Cate in numerous roles and remember when Christina Ricci and Johhny Depp played opposite one another in Legend of Sleepy Hollow.



Johnny Depp has had a number of outstanding roles. The Man Who Cried is not one of our favorites but still it was worth watching. It is a tale of a very young Russian Jewish girl who finds herself suddenly without family when her father departs to find a better life for them in America and then her grandmother is killed. She is sent to England where she grows into a young woman and departs for Paris, where she lands on the eve of WWII. It is there she meets Johhny Depp who plays Cesar, leader of a small band of gypsies.

I'm not going to tell you what happens to our heroine in the end. Does she find true love with Cesar? Will she ever be reunited with her father? Let me know how you like the video.

Taken yesterday on our walk to the park 

Our Park

The park is being readied for our annual Fourth of July Picnic. After a wet spring, they are just now getting into the soggy places to mow. Oak trees planted only a few years ago are showing promise. I hope we can get more added this fall or next spring. It would make an already lovely park even more inviting on hot summer days, while leaving the volleyball court, soccer field open for activities if we only put in more around the perimeter.

The first year we lived here our local mall was offerring blue spruce seedlings for celebration of Earth Day. We took home half a dozen and put them in containers to start. When they outgrew the containers, we donated three of them to the park, along with another little tree we had outside our entry decorated for Christmas in a container. We called it our "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" because it looked so pathetic. Now it has filled out, grown tall in the park and decorates the upper playground!

With homes on such small lots here in the Pacific NW cities, open space is such a gift. We certainly make good use of ours. Anneka and Thea love to play in our park. I think it makes them really look forward to visiting Grandpa and Gra'ma! (~.~)

Saturday Night at the Movies

Our neighbors loaned us their copy of Hitch, starring Will Smith w/ Albert Bennaman, Eva Mendes and Amber Valetta, so we had a nice surprise Saturday night at the movies.

Love is Hitch's profession, laughter is what you'll get while watching him work. He can smoothly coach other guys into winning the heart of their true love but as the relationship of the main characters intertwine...there's going to be a HITCH!

"I'll Be There" was our Friday Night Video

Last night we rented "I'll Be There." It's a GR8 comedy, written and directed by Craig Ferguson, (who also is playing a leading roll) and features Charlotte Church. It seemed to get off to a slow start but had me laughing so the pace was OK, and then as it went along, the pace picked up as did the wonderful comedy. The story line is at times predictable as to the outcome, but takes twists and turns along the way and keeps you right along with it. No sleeping thru this one, for certain. It was released in 2003, but we'd missed it until now. If you enjoy a good laugh, some wonderful singing by Charlotte Church, some glimses into music of the 80's as we bring in members of her rock star Dad in the movie Craig Ferguson, and then also her in the movie grandpa's rock band (this character in the video is 70 and still touring and going strong) don't put it off but plan to view it this week!

Little Drummer Girl 

Big sister playing with the dominoes 

How fast they do grow! 

Smiling at her Grandpa 

Which disk is this? 

Right on the tip of my tongue 

How fast they grow

Anneka and Thea celebrate Thea's birthday in Palm Springs. Here's a colorful shot of the girls.

Digital cameras R Fun!

This afternoon I zipped thru some digital photos from several years ago of our redheads. The post below is one John took after the girls had a Saturday gymnastics class. They had to show us some of their new moves. So cute! I may be a bit prejudiced!

Here's a photo from several years ago

Little Princess Sisters

Growing Wild 

Meanwhile, Lynn Collins in Special Features on Merchant of Venice 

Lynn Collins as Portia 

Portia

Lynn Collins as Portia

Al Pacino as Shylock 

Merchant of Venice 

Another screen shot

from Merchant of Venice

Merchant of Venice

This was our video choice for Saturday night. Soundtrack and cinematography excellent, as was the cast. I don't usually care for Al Pacino, but in this role he was at his best, perfect for the part of Shylock, and I think I've changed my opinion of him altogether. Lynn Collins was amazing. Jeremy Irons predictably well suited for his role and added much to this cast of characters. When in the mood for a little Shakespeare give this one a try.

OOPS! Or perhaps not??? We'll see....

Please excuse goofs in entry below while I work out solution. Meanwhile, enjoy some music, with many thanks to Ottmar Liebert. Listening Lounge
(Hold down shift key when clicking on a link to have it open in a new browser.)

And the previous entry may not need changing, as I think perhaps it will update itself as new tracks are offerred each month by O L, as found on his Listening Lounge

Happy surfing. Thx for stopping by,
carol (~.~)

p.s. one of my favorites is La Rosa Negra Recorded live to two-track in 1990. OL - Flamenco Guitar, Jon Gagan - Fretless Electric Bass Guitar, Davo Bryant - Drums + Percussion

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/la-rosa-negra-live.mp3

Listen While U Surf

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Monthly selections of original music from Ottmar Liebert. These songs are provided free of charge, but they are for your personal use only. en Copyright by Ottmar Liebert http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Second track from La Semana

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/semana-la-luna.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Third track from La Semana

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/semana-cocteau.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html First track from La Semana

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/semana-carrousel.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Board-recording made by FOH engineer Alan at the Lila Cockrell in Austin, Texas on October 8th, 2004

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/snakecharmer-austin.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Happy Holidays!

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/bethlehem.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Recorded live to two-track by Alan Behr in San Antonio, Texas in October of 2004. OL - Flamenco and Electric Guitars, Jon Gagan - Fretless Electric Bass Guitar, Ron Wagner - Percussion, Robby Rothschild - Congas and Cajon

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/ballad4santana-austin.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Recorded live to two-track in 1990. OL - Flamenco Guitar, Jon Gagan - Fretless Electric Bass Guitar, Davo Bryant - Drums + Percussion

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/poets-and-angels-live.mp3

http://www.ssri.biz/music/bodyset.html Recorded live to two-track in 1990. OL - Flamenco Guitar, Jon Gagan - Fretless Electric Bass Guitar, Davo Bryant - Drums + Percussion

http://www.ssri.biz/music/mp3/la-rosa-negra-live.mp3

Saturday, here's John...we're about to depart for a short walk. Skies have cleared momentarily. 

Merchant of Venice, video released in 2004

Tonight it's going to be Merchant of Venice for wind down time entertainment. It stars Al Pacino, with Lynn Collins, Joseph Fiennes, Jeremy Irons. Wonder how we'll like it?

This morning John drove to Haagen's, about a mile away to pick up just a few grocery items. He slept well all afternoon. Seems much better than he did Wednesday and Thursday, which were days that his progress regressed to a worrisome extent. Yesterday (Friday) was OK, but he lacked the usual energy and spark he was showing from day to day. Hard for him to pace himself.

Video time @ our house last night

We viewed Born Romantic on our big screen, complete w/ a snack and beverage of choice. It was a good Friday Night @ the Movies for John and me. The video itself wasn't particularly noteworthy but had some funny scenes and mostly light and humorous, being just what we were in the mood for. Simple relaxation. Lights down low. Just the two of us.

The cover from Netflix reports:

In mondern-day London, three men and three women fall in and out of love and back again...A winning romantic comedy.

Good news from the neurologist on John

Yesterday was the "big day" for John's first visit to the neurologist who specializes in stroke and after stroke care. Clint and I both went along. The really good news is that the doctor indicated there should be a full recovery. He said we could be "cautiously optimistic" that John would have no more of these intracerebral hemorrhage things. Also, John will not need to see him again unless new symptoms appear. He should, however, consider taking meds for high blood pressure even 'tho his is within the guidelines for normal. So...I imagine he will do this under the supervision of his internist (the idiot who has misdiagnosed shingles on my face and also on John's foot, diagnosed the stroke as Bell's Palsy, etc, sent him home to take high dose of aspirin with bleeding into his brain)

It will take some months for John to feel like himself again but will gradually improve if he doesn't overdo it. I could've hugged Clint when he interjected that his Dad always pushed himself too hard and it was impossible for anyone to keep him from it. (He left out the unsaid "unless you tied him down.") By doing what he did, Clint kept me from being a nagging overprotective wife-type. Doctor laughed and repeated his words to John, who pretended that overdoing wouldn't be a problem, lol. Funny. NOT! John is scheduled for an MRI w/ dye on July 5 to take a close look @ his brain after the blood has been absorbed so as not to block anything from view. I got to see the CT film today. Nothing like a close look to see what's going on in your husband's head. Hope I get to see the angiogram that was done, as well. John and Clint did and were most impressed by the technology. Viewed it on 3 large flat panel screens w/ highest resolution possible while John was in the hospital and I was here at home.

I'm so happy to have it confirmed that a full recovery from this can be expected. In the back of my mind is the concern there will be more of these things down the road, but then life is full of happiness and hazzard, no matter who you are or what has happened in the past...can't let the "what if's" get to you. I think I just need to catch up on weeks of lost sleep!

Hastily shot out the window of moving car, this is where I went Tuesday. Today it's off to another medical bldg for John's first office meeting with the neurologist who will follow him as he recovers from last month's stroke. I'll be delighted when most of my away from the neighborhood trips are not to medical appointments!  

A little bit of color 

Cloudy Day

I was planning to go out early w/ my camera, but so far it is such a dark, cloudy day...let's see what the rest of the morning brings!

Christina will be here in half an hour or so.

Posting Photos

I'm trying to post a thumbnail photo and have it expand to larger size when it is clicked on. Using photos stored at another site and html, I did the rose below. Almost got it right, but the code isn't quite what I should be using yet. Will conquer this soon, I think.

Meanwhile, today was a bit of several different things. Ann drove John to pick up a part for our dishwasher and then to Zupan's. We had deli sandwiches for lunch. Then John, still in recovery mode from his stroke, took an afternoon nap while Ann and I cooked in the kitchen and caught up from the many weeks we had not seen one another.

Dinner was delicious. Now for a video and off to bed.

Christina is coming tomorrow, so it is up early for me...breakfast, pick up the family room, and then on with the visit. Looking forward to the day.

test

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Posting by using Dashboard

The last two posts were done by email to the blog instead of using the Dashboard, as I'm doing now. It obviously works better for me to sign in and use the Dashboard when leaving a note.

I would like to figure out how to email photos to blog. Unfotunately my "Hello" program is set up to use my other sign in name. Had forgotten this sign in and password, so I started all over, then came back to this one as more of a diary in words while using the other for a diary in photos. That system actually works pretty well for me most of the time. It keeps people interested in the photos from having to wade thru my rambling text, lol.

As I said...gotta run. Make it a GR8 day, all of U out there.

Monday, May 31

Last night I read Chocolat, almost finishing it while John worked on the
dishwasher. He found the problem and did a temporary fix but will need a
part. At least we got two loads cycled thru and no more dirty dishes
stacked up. (I think it would've been easier to hand wash the dishes...but
boys will be boys, even when they are grown men.) Getting back to Chocolat
the book...it is extremely well written. This is one of the few times I'm
glad I saw the movie before reading the book. It also helped to know that
the author switches back and forth between the narrative by Vianne and
Reynaud simply by starting a new chapter. Had I not been told this was the
case by Ann, who loaned me the book, I might've been slow to catch this the
first time it happened. Hope I can get a minute to finish it this
afternoon or evening.

I have a follow up appointment with the surgeon today. Mostly due to
traffic and distance, it is going to eat up the rest of the morning. Hope
to have time to take some photos after the surgeon's appointment across the
street in the hospital's courtyard "Healing Garrden." Lovely flowers are
at their peak of spring blooming season, and the trees are just begging for
my camera lense. Most of the garden is in a raised bed, with decorative
brass plaques.

Time to run!

Scanned by WinProxy
http://www.Ositis.com/

emailing photo to blog

Scanned by WinProxy
http://www.Ositis.com/

In Remembrance

This from legacy.com

In Remembrance

Saving Grace, the video

Last night we enjoyed Saving Grace.  Upon looking it up on IMBD I noticed there were many movies w/ the same title.  Click on Saving Grace to see info on the one we watched.  It's hilarious, and I think deserves a higher rating than given by viewers on IMDB.  jmho.  Besides, we tend to like best some of the ones that don't do all that well at the box office or even the video store.  If you enjoy a good laugh, excellent acting, a bit of good scenery, and esp. if you love gardening, don't pass this one up!

carol (~.~)

Happy Memorial Day

Watched coverage on FOX this morning.  Some of our relatives are buried at Arlington.  They fought so that we could have the liberty we enjoy today.  May all remember the many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Earth Girls Are Easy"

Last night we watched "Earth Girls Are Easy." With Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, and Jim Carrey in leading roles I would've hoped for something better. It's supposed to be both a comedy and a musical. Too silly and the "musical" part was pathetic, jmho. Oh, well, it was harmless enough and at least when going to the kitchen for snacks or answering a phone there was no need to pause the video because nothing important was there to be missed! (released in 1989, I believe) Skip this one and pick up a good book!

This morning John is off on errands. It's his first time to drive since his stroke, which was almost two weeks ago. The doctor cleared him for this the day he was discharged from the hospital (a week ago yesterday) but I've managed to hold him back this long just to be certain he was really OK. It's so wonderful to watch his steady improvement. Must look after my guy. I love him....

Day Surgery This A.M.

I'm off to the hospital for Day Surgery. Nothing major. We're having a bright sunny day w/ temps just perfect to be out in the neighborhood w/ my camera. Instead, I'll be otherwise occupied. Oh, well, can't be helped. Tomorrow is another day. I'll get out to take some photos then.

Here goes another post by email to my blog.

Testing with Eudora

Since MSN decided to add some free advertising, let's try this w/ Eudora Mail program.

Saturday night, 8:40 pm in Pacific NW. G'nite!

carol (~.~)

Testing

Let's see if this post by email system to my blog really works. OK, to be honest, we know it can be done, so the test is to see if I have figured it out.

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Download your favorite songs at MSN Music - Over 1 million songs for just 99� each

WOW, I got back in here!!!

I forgot my login and password both. Now I have them again. When will I ever learn that I need to write these things down? :)