Wordless Wednesday

photos taken by Kevin Faries in Springtown, Texas last week

                                                             
                                                     Paralysis by Joanne Faries

                     rain drips
 confused by temperature variations
 it floods, then takes hold,
oozes into every nook and cranny
muscles control of every pore
tightens its freezing grip
 choking branches and limbs until

                 crack
the once strong limber tree yields in pain

              And crack,
the bones break

Movie Review Madness - Black Panther

Marvel’s Black Panther is a feast for the eyes – the stunning visual effects of the world of Wakanda are lovely. The acting is all stellar. Sharp writing, plenty of action/fights, and a story of power and redemption complete the tale directed by Ryan Coogler.  There have been a lot of articles and essays written about Black Panther – all for a higher purpose than pure cinematic delight. I’m going to stick with just the movie going experience of this critic – a middle-aged woman who wants to be entertained for her five dollar investment. Ka-ching! This movie absolutely works on all levels. If you wish to delve into some issues – by all means. The movie can make you think. Or just sit back with a big tub of popcorn and watch Chadwick Boseman nail it as T’Challa, the new king of Wakanda – a country that hides its riches (the vibranium metal) from the rest of the world.

It is a city filled with technology, powerful women, and an appreciation for its history and rituals.  Here’s the impressive cast of women – Angela Bassett (mother), Letitia Wright (science nerd sister),and Lupita Nyong’o(Nakia – the activist ex).  Close friend W’Kabi is played by Daniel Kaluuya.  Then there’s trouble – brooding Michael B. Jordan, the Killmonger, seeks revenge and more. There’s a whole background buildup to his story. It starts in Oakland, CA and finishes in hand-to-hand combat, victory, and some d words – defeat, defiance, etc.   I won’t say more…. But I will say that Danai Gurira the shorn elite member of the royal squad is fierce. Her attitude is scary and she swings a mean spear.

Black Panther is set in a fantasy world. Like I said, you can extrapolate from there into more meaning, concerns, etc of modern day America.  Or you can enjoy the slick purring moves of a sleek panther. Stick around during and after credits for those Marvel teasers they give us. Keeps us coming back for more. Meow!

Fast Friday

 Ray and I went to the Dallas Auto Show last Saturday.  Love those shiny $$$$ cars

 Here's the Black Panther Lexus.  I bet it purrs......

And my sister has a Kia Soul, so I had to hang with the hamster.

Fun day, plenty of steps around the convention center, and no we did not buy a new car.
Zoom through your Friday and on to a fantastic weekend

Wonderful Wednesday

This Wednesday I bring you a quote from a very intriguing writer. I read this in Time Magazine 2/12/18 issue. 

Food for thought to fill this Wednesday.  It was provocative enough for a discussion with my writer friends at a Sunday gathering.  What do you think?

Zadie Smith, literary author, has a new collection of essays, Feel Free. In one essay she writes,

      When I find myself sitting at dinner next to someone who knows just as much about novels as I do but has somehow also found the mental space to adore and be knowledgeable about opera, have strong opinions about the relative rankings of Renaissance painters, and encyclopedic knowledge of the English Civil War, of French wines - I feel an anxiety that nudges beyond the envious into the existential. How did she find the time?

We all agreed that we've been there. We think we've read quite a bit, we can speak about quite a lot, and then we are flummoxed by that person who seems to know it all.......dang. 

Inferiority complex, heck yeah!

How about you?  Have you felt so smart, and then really dumb on occasion?

Book Promotion - Don't Feed the Elephant by Sherry Ellis

I met Sherry Ellis here on blogspot during an April A to Z challenge. Her garden blog (http://gonegarden.blogspot.com) proved delightful. Then I fell for her Ten Zany Birds book for kids - the illustrations and counting story were cute.

Now I'm pleased to promote Don't Feed the Elephant by Sherry Ellis with rich illustrations by Md. Anwar.  Once again, Sherry has written a sweet funny tale with some important lessons for kids. Most important - don't feed the elephant. It can lead to all kinds of trouble (including a sick tummy), plus teach kids letters of the alphabet. Animal crackers to zebra cakes are a hoot.

I highly recommend Don't Feed the Elephant for your little ones. You'll have fun reading it over and over and over again. And they will giggle as the elephant cavorts, plays with his food, and enjoys time with friends.  Look for it on Amazon

http://www.sherryellis.org

sherryellis.blogspot.com

Movie Review Madness - Three Billboards

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri – what a title , what a film. I saw it. I don’t think I need to see it again. It’s up for a lot of Oscar buzz and is very worthy. It’s a challenging film. Can’t call it entertaining. It makes you think. It makes you sweat a bit. It can make you laugh – but it’s that uncomfortable laugh – like, this is sorta PC wrong, but it’s funny, but it’s wrong, and am I cleared to laugh?

So, Frances McDormand (beyond Oscar worthy, she is SO good in this film – just hand her the statue now) is mourning her daughter who was killed and died while being burned. Ugly. So horrific. And she’s pissed – the local cops haven’t solved a thing. The chief (an excellent Woody Harrelson) has tried, but there have been no clues.  The local worker bee cop (Sam Rockwell – very Oscar worthy) is a racist pig with a lot of issues and does not seem interested in a solution.  Meanwhile, she puts up three billboards that challenge the police force.

Bam. It’s front and center.  Many issues are faced in this film. Racism. Police work. Murder. And more.  Seems like the whole town is seething, and McDormand is front and center. Her very being vibrates. She is such a good actress and she can show fury, combustion, and more just with a clenched jaw, a raised eyebrow, and a cutting remark.

This film can get ugly. The language is brutal. The actions are ugly. These aren’t really pleasant people. But it’s truly an interesting story, a sad heartbreaking at times story, and everyone in it grows in some way or another.

It’s an Oscar must see film that is tough....that’s where I’ll leave it.  Wow and whoa and dang.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day one and all, and to my love, Ray!!!

Here's my little tablescape to honor the day.  The sculpture was given to me by my dad on my last trip. I had admired it - dancing figures - and he gave it to me. So cool!

The picture is from our wedding party - we threw quite a bash. Oh so young!

And assorted valentine stuff adorn the table.

So enjoy some chocolates everyone and Happy Valentine's Day