Well, "Rosemary & Thyme" has come to an end. We watched Season 3 a few months ago because we were unable to find Season 2 and we were sad to learn that it was the last of the episodes of this British mystery series starring Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris. Since then we found a copy of Season 2 -- a 3 disk series. I personally think that the last two seasons are superb so, if you are a fan of this gardener detective duo, don't miss them! The last two seasons feature even more glorious gardens -- some in Europe. We did notice that the murderer in these last two seasons often turned out to be "murderesses." Has it always been this way in every episode? Maybe we'll have to watch them all over again to find out!
I also like that there are more details about Rosemary and Laura's personal lives and families, too -- really fleshed them out for me. pazt
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
"The Ultimate Gift"
I spotted "The Ultimate Gift" at the library in the DVD section and thought it looked like a good movie. What I didn't expect was what an impact it would have on me -- and, hopefully, on anyone who views it. It's based on a novel of the same name by Jim Stovall.
Jason Stevens (played by Drew Fuller) is a young man who lives high and well on his trust fund and likes to party. When his wealthy grandfather, Red (played by James Garner) dies, Jason receives an inheritance of a very unexpected nature. Red loves his grandson and feels he has failed him. He doesn't want him to turn out like the shallow and greedy children Red raised. Jason's father (Red's son) died when Jason was young and he blames Red (just as Red blamed himself) for taking him away from him. In an effort to help Jason grow into the productive and decent person he sees in him, Red sets out 12 tasks (or "gifts" as Red likes to call them) for Jason to complete in a video he has pre-recorded. His attorney is responsible for judging whether Jason accomplishes Red's tasks successfully.
Along the way Jason sees his family in a new way and meets some individuals who have not enjoyed the life of privilege he has had. One of those new friends is portrayed by Abigail Breslin -- an amazing young actress who never disappoints in any performance I've seen her in and this one is no exception! Jason learns a lot about himself as well as the fact that money doesn't always buy everything and life -- no matter how privileged -- can't shield one from disappointment or heartbreak. pazt
Jason Stevens (played by Drew Fuller) is a young man who lives high and well on his trust fund and likes to party. When his wealthy grandfather, Red (played by James Garner) dies, Jason receives an inheritance of a very unexpected nature. Red loves his grandson and feels he has failed him. He doesn't want him to turn out like the shallow and greedy children Red raised. Jason's father (Red's son) died when Jason was young and he blames Red (just as Red blamed himself) for taking him away from him. In an effort to help Jason grow into the productive and decent person he sees in him, Red sets out 12 tasks (or "gifts" as Red likes to call them) for Jason to complete in a video he has pre-recorded. His attorney is responsible for judging whether Jason accomplishes Red's tasks successfully.
Along the way Jason sees his family in a new way and meets some individuals who have not enjoyed the life of privilege he has had. One of those new friends is portrayed by Abigail Breslin -- an amazing young actress who never disappoints in any performance I've seen her in and this one is no exception! Jason learns a lot about himself as well as the fact that money doesn't always buy everything and life -- no matter how privileged -- can't shield one from disappointment or heartbreak. pazt
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
"Up In The Air"
I missed seeing George Clooney in "Up In The Air" when it was in the theaters but finally checked out a copy from our library. Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a man who travels so much for business that he spends little time in his small apartment -- so little time that it reminds me of a hotel room. He's got his life organized to death -- how to travel and how to keep everything to a minimum -- including relationships. He even conducts workshops on minimizing. He also doesn't think anything is missing until he meets two women. One is a fellow traveler and they begin to find places to connect when they're both on the road. The other is a young woman who has come to work for his company to streamline things. However, he doesn't think her streamlining will work and takes her on the road with him to show her why.
I can't decide if Ryan is content with his life or just really, really shallow and happy with casual relationships. Ryan has traveled so much that he's obsessed with becoming a million mile flyer and getting his name on an airplane. His female co-worker says if she had a million miles she'd look at the departure board and decide where she wanted to go.
What happens? He discovers there is something missing in his life and he does want a relationship. His female co-worker decides her decision to follow a man to Omaha (who then dumps her) versus going with the job she really wanted in San Francisco was a mistake.
Will he get his million miles and that relationship he wants and, if so, how will his life change? Will his female co-worker change her life and go for what she really wants? Will his female travel companion become his lifetime companion? This movie had my spouse and I discussing it for days afterwards! pazt
I can't decide if Ryan is content with his life or just really, really shallow and happy with casual relationships. Ryan has traveled so much that he's obsessed with becoming a million mile flyer and getting his name on an airplane. His female co-worker says if she had a million miles she'd look at the departure board and decide where she wanted to go.
What happens? He discovers there is something missing in his life and he does want a relationship. His female co-worker decides her decision to follow a man to Omaha (who then dumps her) versus going with the job she really wanted in San Francisco was a mistake.
Will he get his million miles and that relationship he wants and, if so, how will his life change? Will his female co-worker change her life and go for what she really wants? Will his female travel companion become his lifetime companion? This movie had my spouse and I discussing it for days afterwards! pazt
Monday, June 10, 2013
"Murder of A Small-Town Honey"
I found a new mystery author and series this weekend when I read "Murder of a Small-Town Honey" by Denise Swanson. Denise has been a school psychologist for more than twenty years so it shouldn't come as a surprise that her heroine, Skye Denison, is also a school psychologist. This book is the first in a new series, "A Scumble River Mystery," named for the fictional small town in Illinois where Skye was raised.
When Skye graduated from high school and delivered her high school valedictorian address twelve years ago, she made it pretty clear she never wanted to return to Scumble River -- well, maybe to visit family. However, when her engagement is broken and her job in Louisiana develops some problems (never specifically addressed so we don't know what happened except it would be difficult for her to get a new job), she turns to an old family friend, "Uncle Charlie," who is on the Scumble River school board and voila! - Skye has a new job as school psychologist for the elementary, middle, and high schools. Unfortunately for her there hasn't been a steady social worker or school psychologist so she has a lot of catching up to do and student files to review and much more.
You'd think that would be enough to keep Skye busy but, when she is helping out at the Chokeberry Days Festival, her problems really begin. This year there are two factions -- one that wants to continue the annual local festival and one that does not. The latter seems set on sabotaging this year's festival as it is beset by many catastrophes but, when Skye finds the body of a woman that has been hired to provide children's entertainment, would someone really stoop to murder to stop next year's festival?!
As if that weren't enough, Skye's brother, Vince, the local hairdresser, is suspected of the murder because his scissors were the murder weapon. Skye's mom is one of the local police dispatchers and is convinced the police aren't looking at any other possible suspects so she begs Skye to help clear her brother by using her psychology skills to find the guilty party.
In the meantime, Vince convinces Skye to double date with he and his girlfriend, Abby. Skye's date is to be Mike Young, who was a drug dealer when he was young, but reformed in prison earning him an early out. He came home to Scumble River to open his own church. The double date doesn't go well when Skye uses it to begin questioning Mike about his possible involvement with the murdered woman.
However, there is another man in Scumble River who has attracted Skye's attention -- Simon Reid, the local mortician who inherited the business when his uncle died. After a few dates -- but reluctantly -- Simon becomes Skye's sleuthing partner. As they begin to uncover clues, something happens that Skye's mom didn't count on -- Skye becomes a target of the murderer. Will Simon be able to protect her and will she survive this sleuthing hobby?
This was a very well written book and I am ready for the next one in the series, "Murder of a Sweet Old Lady." pazt
When Skye graduated from high school and delivered her high school valedictorian address twelve years ago, she made it pretty clear she never wanted to return to Scumble River -- well, maybe to visit family. However, when her engagement is broken and her job in Louisiana develops some problems (never specifically addressed so we don't know what happened except it would be difficult for her to get a new job), she turns to an old family friend, "Uncle Charlie," who is on the Scumble River school board and voila! - Skye has a new job as school psychologist for the elementary, middle, and high schools. Unfortunately for her there hasn't been a steady social worker or school psychologist so she has a lot of catching up to do and student files to review and much more.
You'd think that would be enough to keep Skye busy but, when she is helping out at the Chokeberry Days Festival, her problems really begin. This year there are two factions -- one that wants to continue the annual local festival and one that does not. The latter seems set on sabotaging this year's festival as it is beset by many catastrophes but, when Skye finds the body of a woman that has been hired to provide children's entertainment, would someone really stoop to murder to stop next year's festival?!
As if that weren't enough, Skye's brother, Vince, the local hairdresser, is suspected of the murder because his scissors were the murder weapon. Skye's mom is one of the local police dispatchers and is convinced the police aren't looking at any other possible suspects so she begs Skye to help clear her brother by using her psychology skills to find the guilty party.
In the meantime, Vince convinces Skye to double date with he and his girlfriend, Abby. Skye's date is to be Mike Young, who was a drug dealer when he was young, but reformed in prison earning him an early out. He came home to Scumble River to open his own church. The double date doesn't go well when Skye uses it to begin questioning Mike about his possible involvement with the murdered woman.
However, there is another man in Scumble River who has attracted Skye's attention -- Simon Reid, the local mortician who inherited the business when his uncle died. After a few dates -- but reluctantly -- Simon becomes Skye's sleuthing partner. As they begin to uncover clues, something happens that Skye's mom didn't count on -- Skye becomes a target of the murderer. Will Simon be able to protect her and will she survive this sleuthing hobby?
This was a very well written book and I am ready for the next one in the series, "Murder of a Sweet Old Lady." pazt
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