I’ve seen it three times and wouldn’t mind seeing it again! It is an epic historical film starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. If that’s not enough to get you curious, Julia Ormond and Brad Pitt do a marvelous job of playing out the parts of star-crossed lovers with a tragic ending.
Set in Montana, the film portrays sweeping landscapes along with themes of betrayal, history, love, nature, war, and tragedy. It also takes you on a journey of epic proportions when “forbidden love” steps in and keeps you captivated to the very end. I cried each time I saw this movie. It was powerful and it gets your emotional senses going. However, I like movies that do exactly that.
It had everything I like in a movie and Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins are fantastic in this movie as well. Add elements of racism, tragedy, family drama, forbidden love, and you’ve got one GOOD movie. In my book, at least.
If I could erase one movie from my memory and watch it again, this would be my definite pick. I watched it with a friend the last time and he found it boring. Hmm….that’s because he loves action movies and yours truly is steeped in romance and anything that gets the tear ducts working overtime!
Daily writing prompt
If you could erase one movie from your memory and watch it again for the first time, which one would it be?
One thing I have learned when learning something new and to stay motivated at the task at hand is to focus. Distractions are aplenty since I have a mind that loves to jump around and to run from one thing to the other. I liken it to a monkey!
Taming it is hard. Getting it to behave is next to impossible. The only thing I can do is to FOCUS and TRY not to get distracted. It is helping and lately, the “monkey” seems to understand and sits patiently while I go about doing what I need to get done.
New things are hard enough because the outcome is unknown and it takes concentration and effort to bring it to the finish line. I’m working on my novel currently and I find that staying motivated is a next to impossible task. My thoughts get muddled, I don’t know where to go next, how to make it all come together and even though I have over 250 pages finished, I am stuck! Moving forward is like wading through mud and I tend to put it aside until something new hits me but for now, it is a lost cause. I have too many things going on in my life right now and motivation is standing at the zero level.
I’m hoping that things will settle down and I can get going again.
I picked this book up not really knowing much about Nora Roberts. Romance novels were my thing and when I came across this title, I wasn’t sure what it was about and I knew even less about the author at that time.
Little did I know that I was in for a surprise and of the best kind. The book captured all my senses hook, line, and sinker! Not many books do that. It wasn’t a historical novel or a classic, but it packed a punch and how! I couldn’t put it down and I read it from cover to cover in a very short amount of time. Then I went looking for more of her books and she had plenty.
Who is Nora Roberts? She is an American romance novelist and she is one of the most successful and prolific authors of the genre. I love her writing, it draws you in, it captivates, and it keeps you there wanting more. Roberts received the lifetime achievement award from the Romance Writers of America.
My first introduction to this writer was through the book I mentioned above. Irish siblings Malachi, Gideon, and Rebecca Sullivan try to acquire three heirlooms that were stolen. This chase takes them across continents and the intriguing plot with romance thrown in keeps readers more than engaged. I became a fan after reading this book and I think I own most of her books as well.
It was an unassuming title but the book completely surprised me. The writing was superb and the storyline fascinating. She has a knack for romance and she does it like no other writer I have known. Well, Danielle Steele comes close but I like Nora Roberts better. Just a matter of taste I suppose.
How can you build a regular fitness routine? Start out by knowing why you’re doing it. I do it for myself, not for anyone else. Knowing this, I work at what makes me feel good, if it fits my schedule, and if the workout routine adds or detracts from how I feel. This is important. If it makes you feel like you are not ENOUGH, there’s that word again, then it is time to look for something that works for you.
I start slow, no gung ho moves here, meaning being over-zealous. It is easy to get caught up in different workouts because you are motivated but that motivation fizzles out at some point and sometimes quickly, so start slow, take your time, know what works, what makes you feel good, and go from there.
My routine embraces different formats. I do cardio, strength, yoga, and Pilates. Not all at one time but some days I get ambitious and I go for all of it. My body lets me know the next day what I did wrong! Add breathing, walks in nature, eating right, and that about sums up my routine. It works for me. I’m exactly where I need to be, weight-wise, and I feel good. However, I work out seven days a week because a day without workouts is like a day without sunshine for me. That’s me, this doesn’t work for everyone.
Get motivated, stay motivated, add routines that work for you, watch your progress, and most of all DO NOT overdo it. Consistency is the key and knowing what you want to achieve the other. Oh, one more thing, think of working out as doing something good for your body because it’s a temple and you, my friend, are the goddess!
This one got a laugh out of me this morning. What can I say but that’s Trump for you and low IQ? You’re looking at it!
So DONALD Trump
GOES TO THE VATICAN to
Meet the Pope.
He later said: “I met with Pope Francis today. He’s a really great Pope – great, great Pope. You know he’s the leader of the Catholic Church – big church. I couldn’t believe it when he told me how many Catholics there are. Way more than I thought. They have churches all over the world — Some are very, very close to my hotels and golf courses.
He tells me he’s elected for life, probably copying that Xi guy in China. Fantastic idea, though. Fantastic. It turns out the Pope is a lot like me, you never see him with his wife. He told me he’s infallible. I said that’s great, you’ll never have to worry about breaking a hip.
He told me about a Mary Magdalene, beautiful girl, beautiful. Apparently a hooker. I asked him for her number. Didn’t catch his answer. I’m told he said it in Latin. I give the guy credit because he doesn’t look Latino.
He took me into the Sistine Chapel. Beautiful ceiling. Not the usual white stucco stuff. I don’t think too many people even know about this place. The paintings are great, I’m telling you. Lots of colours. The Pope (great guy, by the way, knows more about the Bible than almost anybody. We got along great, I think he really likes me) told me the whole thing was painted by this young Italian. I think his name is Mike Langelo. At least that’s what Francis (we’re great friends) called him, I think.
Trust me, we’re going to hear more about this guy. He’s really artistic, and everybody tells me I have the greatest eye for the best art. It’s natural, just like my incredible understanding of science. All the renowned scientists say they can’t believe it.
I told Frank I’d like to buy some of Mike’s art. I asked if Mike’s done anything on velvet. He’ll check. I’ll hang his stuff at Mar-a-Lago or Trump Tower. This Mike guy needs more exposure. He’s too much with the churches. He could paint my presidential portrait on the Capitol Dome. Or maybe a mural on my big, beautiful border wall; but just on our side.
When we left, the Pope gave me a bible. Huge book. (Huge.) I told him I have the full set. You get one for free every time you take a porn star to a motel room.
Unbelievable. Just heard. The mainstream media are at it again. Fake news. (Fake news.) I just saw something on TV. They claim Mike the painter died 450 years ago. Sad. I’ve already got people looking into this and you won’t believe what they’re finding
It is one of the hardest things to do. You’ve got a plan in hand, all set to go, you take off and then you come to a screeching halt! What happened? Life did. Your focus is not on what you need to get done, the noise surrounding you is too loud, it is hard to concentrate and “giving up” is less work and easier to do. You are at a standstill not knowing which direction to take or worse still, you don’t have the energy to carry on.
“Starve your distractions, feed your focus.” Unknown
How do you starve your distractions? First, what are distractions? They are defined as, “things like technology (phones, social media, websites, YouTube, video games, Netflix), other people, or noises around you,” all vying for your attention and quite often they win.
“Stay focused on your goals and ignore the noise.” Unknown
Not easy to do, I know. I’ve let distractions get the better of me and what I could have achieved in a short amount of time took forever and a longer route to get there. You have a plan? If not, make one. You want to get somewhere? You’ve got to focus. Here’s the truth. If you don’t focus, you’re left by the wayside. Tony Robbins once said, “Your life is controlled by what you focus on.”
Focus on the good things and you get more of the same. Focus on doing better and you will. Focus on what’s in front of you and you’ll start moving forward.
FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS!
Oh, one more thing.
“You decide how to show up, and you’d better come correct: the way you look, what you say, how you act and react. No excuses! Get in front of the mirror and own what you see. You may have to drag your fabulousness out of hiding, but it’s there.” Alyssa Edwards
AND
“The more you focus on you, the better you become.” Unknown
Cut out the noise and the excuses. Zero in on what you want. You’re allowed to waver now and then but get back on track. FOCUS, and you’re halfway there, the rest needs work!
Do I think it is overrated? I don’t think it is overrated but in some aspects I do agree with the critics that it is a difficult plot to comprehend compared to modern day children’s books. The pace is slow-moving and at times boring. Add to that the somber theme of the death of a character and it is definitely different from normal children’s books.
However, when I first picked it up and stepped into it, it drew me in like a magnet. I found that the characters, Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton were relatable and the fact that they spoke was right down my alley! Most of the stories I write are about animals that speak and so I didn’t find it surprising at all. The story did cover some complex themes but it was done in such a masterful way that I hardly paid any attention to it. Life, death, and friendship were woven into the fabric of the story and although some people objected to the subject matter, especially of death, I found it fascinating.
This book has remained a favorite for young readers even though it was released decades ago. I think it is the timeless quality it embraces, one of dream-like characters and the gentle quality of a well-told story.
Overrated? I don’t think so but maybe in some aspects.
I haven’t been doing much writing lately, not because I don’t want to but because I’ve been overwhelmed with things that life throws at you when you least expect it.
The day is done but my mind refuses to accept that little fact. It is going and going and no matter what I do, it refuses to quiet down and call it a night. I’ve tried meditation, deep breathing, yoga, listening to the sounds outside and even listening to Chachi’s soft snoring but nothing is helping.
Here I am, feeling like an owl with the hoot missing! The unexpected things that showed up and needed my attention were irritating to say the least. My car needed a headlight replaced. It should have been an easy thing to do but it turned out to be a major hassle. The replacement part was hard to get and add to that the cost of 2,500 euros plus the time it took to get the part and I had a major headache and a half going. I got that done about two weeks ago. That was one thing done. Then I find myself staring at something else.
The washing machine was next. It just up and died on me! Well, actually it made a loud noise, there was the smell of something burning and that was it. I pulled the plug from the socket and wondered what now? Easy enough to fix, right? All I had to do was to go to the place where I get all my gadgets and have it replaced. Nope, it wasn’t going to be that easy. Little did I know that my trusted place was no longer in operation! What do I do now? There were other places but all quite a distance away. So, I went online. It was unbelievable. I did everything online, picked one out, placed the order, paid, and got it delivered the next day. It is up and running now. Problem number two down.
What’s the next thing? There is a superstition that goes something like this. Things happen in threes and it was about to hit me. I went to the garden shed to get something and noticed that there was a puddle of water on the floor. Looking up at the roof, I noticed that there were several dark stains indicating a leak. I asked the gardener to take a look and he confirmed that the roof had a major leak and needed fixing! Bummer!!! So, now, I have to find someone to fix it and if that wasn’t enough, we have rain in the forecast for the next couple of days.
No wonder my mind doesn’t want to settle down. It is on the alert for the next thing to happen. What next thing?!! That was number three, however, life has a tendency to skip a beat and throw something else in! I’m superstitious so I’m going to try this old wife’s remedy for bad luck. Get up at the break of dawn, pick seven different varieties of flowers, and pour them over your head! It’s supposed to chase bad luck away. Worth a try? Why not? I’ll give it a try.
Now that I’ve got my frustrations out, I’ll go give sleep another try. My mind says, “Good luck with that!”
I haven’t really paid much attention to underrated people in history but since you asked I did go looking and found a whole slew of them! I’ve narrowed it down to three here.
Rosalind Franklin
She is the silent genius whose work with “x-ray diffraction images of DNA was pivotal in understanding its structure.” James Watson an American biologist and Francis Crick were credited with the discovery of DNA but the truth is, they relied heavily on Franklin’s data to get the job done. Her contribution was overshadowed in a male dominated society at the time. However, her story is a powerful reminder of how women contributed to science but were not given the recognition they deserved. Things have changed since then and let’s hope it doesn’t go backwards again because of you know who.
Claudette Colvin
She was someone who at just 15 years of age courageously challenged racial segregation. Rosa Parks is a well-known name but Colvin? It seems that the incident with Claudette Colvin happened nine months before the Rosa Parks incident. Claudette refused to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white woman. Her brave stance at a time when unjust laws were the norm was truly courageous even though she didn’t get the recognition she deserved.
Katharine Johnson
She was a pioneer of sorts. Ms. Johnson shattered racial and gender barriers by working at NASA during segregation. More importantly, she “calculated the flight trajectory for John Glenn’s historic orbit and helped ensure the success of the Apollo II moon landing. A brilliant mind but her contributions only came to light at a much later time through the film Hidden Figures.
Now, that I’m learning to live with less and removing clutter as much as I can, I find that I have less dust catchers and more room to breathe! I never realized how much I have collected all in the name of wanting to dress better, having a nicer place and to just add to the mayhem!
I’m not all the way there, mind you, but I am working on it. One of the benefits of living a minimalist lifestyle and perhaps the biggest one is that I can find stuff. When once they were lost between other stuff that I didn’t need but loved looking at, now I can reach for something and know exactly where it is at.
The next benefit is that I spend less money. I no longer buy things just for the sake of buying or because it catches my eye. It is now about whether I need it, will I put it to good use, and should I be throwing money out the window simply on a whim.
Additional benefits include less time spent cleaning, no more impulsive spending, my focus is clearer and on things that matter, for example my personal growth. My living space is not as minimalist as I would like it to be but it is getting there. Mental clarity is taking over and it is not so much about material possessions anymore. Best of all, I don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning.
I think I like this minimalist way of living, however, it is going to take time to get all the way there. The other thing is I don’t know if I am cut out for this kind of living but who knows, I might just come to love it or I might say, let’s move on to the next trend. Only time will tell.
Daily writing prompt
What are the biggest benefits of minimalist living?
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