No Groundfloors.... No Plastics.

You know this guy don't you? He's the one in High School that got great grades, captained the football team and won every award. And what about her? She's the cheerleader, pageant queen who had ponies and cars and everything that you thought you wanted. Do you think Mary's having a moment of fur envy here? Well we just can't say for sure about Mary. After all, director Frank Capra liked his female leads to be strong, hearty and enduring.... and Mary Hatch-Bailey was no exception. Mary is about to tell George Bailey that he has "lassoed the stork." They've got a cash-flow problem and are about to bring babies into the world. Mary is getting everything she wants, but does she feel a measure of guilt that George's life is unfulfilled? And is Mary truly happy or is she just the long-suffering housewife we all wish we could be... holding her tongue... making lemonade out of lemons? I imagine the pressure is building for them both. In this frame, the devil is speaking to the Baileys. He is planting seeds of discontent in both of them. But, at the same time the Lord is still there... blessing them... and caring for them. As we all know, Mary eventually calls on God. But she forgets that he is standing there... waiting on her... the whole time. She didn't have to suffer in silence, spinning her wheels... but the devil was trying to crowd her and make her busy. I, like Mary, often forget to call on God. I get so caught up in my flesh.... What about you? And what about those moments when you could feel his presence right next to you, holding your hand, stroking your forehead, saying "I'm here,"...? George and Mary are soon going to feel the Holy Spirit right next to them! And, oh, what a great moment that is.

Wordy Wednesdays

" Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative."

- Mordecai Siegal

Casting Call...." Puplet"

What can I say... the kids are so dramatic. Perhaps summerstock is the best avenue for their talents... Ruby, Oliver and Bailey starring in Howllliam Shakespeare's, "Puplet!" The dashing Ruby as a young and tragic Dogphelia... Ruby feels as though she was born to play this roll. Not only can Ruby sit and speak on command... but as witnessed by these headshots... she is also very good at "playing dead." Of course Ruby has that starlet quality that is, well, undeniable. I'm just not sure how she will read the dialect of ye olde English... being of German descent... but did anyone ever question Marlena Deitrich? Verily I say nay!

Oliver as a young Puplet? When I asked if he would consider auditioning for the role he simply replied, "Alas poor Boneik... I knew him well!" (He also said not to worry about that scrape on his nose... he got it while practicing his fencing... and it will be cleared up in time for his close-up?!"

.... and Bailey as the great Danish ghost-king. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, and it could be Bailey?

Do you think you could round out our cast? Send me your bow-wowditions and best doggie headshots, and we'll see if you're perfect for our production. P.S. No divas need apply... Ruby is enough diva for us all. Looking forward to seeing ya'll and composing our final cast soon.

aaaaand Dance by the Light of the Mooooon.

What didya wish when you threw that rock? As I previously mentioned watching IAWL is a Thanksgiving Day tradition for me and that day, believe it or not, quickly approaches. So I want to think about the movie in greater depth and with new perspective this year. i always get something different every time I watch anyway, (and cry like a baby in the end,) but I hope to learn from all of you... your own insights and how they apply to the lives we live. So, what did you wish when you threw that rock?...

I wished for the Granville house too and at least two babies in every room of that sprawling home. And like George, I wished to see the world. ( I don't want much do I?) So, what the Lord gave me was only a small taste of my hopes and dreams... a lovely but modest country home, only one really sweet baby to put inside, and the gift of living all over the U.S. but not the world. And, let's not forget... more time here on Earth to possibly realize more of my dreams and make new ones.

Mary was wishing for George to be her husband, but she also wanted a husband that was content with their life together. George was probably wishing for Mary to be his girl, but a girl to experience his adventures alongside him. In the end we know that they both got what they wished for but not in the way they wished it would occur. Are you wishing for something? Do you ever doubt that your wish will come true? We know that the Lord is able to deliver on our dreams and then some... but we doubt.... doubting his power and his greatness. And then there are those dreams that are realized, which are different but better than we could have dreamed them ourselves. Are you more Mary Hatch or are you the George Bailey type? I am definitely a combination of the two, but I am so glad that the Lord knows the desires of my heart like he did for Mary and George.

Bacon and Eggs

Okay everyone... brace yourselves... I am about to wax philosophical about food... yes I am. Why you ask? Well, have you ever had a really unexpectedly great meal? Yes... me too... just last night in fact! Last night's dinner was so good that my husband and son said at least 6x's how good it was... out loud. That could qualify as a rave review! But I am not convinced that it was so much the food itself as it was the time and circumstance. See we had... breakfast... for supper. Cheese eggs, bacon (which I don't eat), gluten free biscuits with honey, and fried potatoes. I know people have breakfast for dinner all the time... nothing unique... but there was something different. Perhaps it was the element of surprise, or perhaps it was the creativity (we are getting close to grocery store day and the cupboard is gettin' a little low... thus the "creative" element.) Whatever the case, it was also satisfying to have the people I cook for acknowledge my efforts and to set this meal apart... in the history of family dinners... as superb.

Up.

I found this and many other awesome original art posters at Sander's Art Studio online....
http://www.sandersartstudio.com/servlet/Categories?$

Have you seen the summer hit "Up"? What a precious movie! I had heard from many that it had a real component of sadness to it... so I shyed away for quite a while. But when it came to our drive-in, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I'm glad I went too. The story was really sweet and to top it off, the story had a whole subplot about dogs! Who can resist some really good dog humor? Not me. Imagine if your dog could talk, (something we've all thought about before I'm sure... Bailey would sound like Billy Bob Thornton in "Slingblade.") what would your pup have to say? "Up" creators thought about this too and created a "talking collar" for dogs. The lead dog character "Dug" was a simple fella and his words conveyed that, but he was also as loving and loyal as we know our own dogs to be. In fact he is such a lover that I am almost convinced they must have patterned Dug..

after our very own, Oliver...

Trust me... the similarities are uncanny! I hope ya'll had a chance to see this really sweet movie but if not maybe you can catch it on DVD. I know, I would like to have a copy of my very own!

Wordy Wednesdays

" You can't keep a good man down- or an overly affectionate dog."

-Anonymous