MOVIE WEEKEND: THE IMPOSSIBLE

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Today I present for your consideration The Impossible (2012, Rated PG-13, available on DVD).

Henry (Ewan McGregor) and Maria (Naomi Watts) and their three young sons are spending the Christmas holidays at a resort in Thailand in 2004. They awake on Christmas Day to open gifts and then head out to the pool to play. Suddenly, the wind begins to blow, they hear a roar, and the tsunami hits.

Henry and the two younger boys are together, while Maria, who is badly injured, is swept away with their oldest son. If Maria survives, how will they ever be reunited?

The Impossible is frighteningly real. I felt caught up in every minute of the film. The director didn't use a computerized wave for the tsunami. Instead, he had a wave expert design a method for bringing in the water so it would look like an actual tsunami. They built a scale model of the resort that would be destroyed by the wave, so they had only one chance to get it right.

And these characters, based on a real family, had only one chance to survive.

Although this movie is rated PG-13, I would be wary of showing it to young teens. I think it might give them nightmares. If you're sensitive, it might give you nightmares. The characters face the fear of separation from one another, the danger of Maria's injuries, and the journey to obtain help, travelling past bodies and debris. I can't even imagine what a task it was to make this movie, but it gave me at least the tiniest inkling of what it was like to be there when the tsunami occurred.

It's really quite harrowing. I grant The Impossible The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval.

I don't want you to think that every minute of the movie is misery. After Maria is hospitalized, she insists that her son do something to be of assistance to others. So he goes around gathering names from people and manages to reunite a father and son. Maria and her son also rescue a little boy.

In the midst of devastation are many quiet tales of heroism and kindness, just as there have been in Oklahoma.

I wish you a lovely weekend, and may God bless you on Memorial Day. Please remember those who have given their lives to keep us safe.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

BOOK NOOK: LIFE HAPPENS

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

We so seldom write real letters these days. We dash off quick emails, or even worse, we text someone while we're in the middle of doing a million other things that simply must be done right that minute.

But there's such a joy in receiving a real letter–a letter that tells a personal story, a letter that helps you know the writer better, a letter reminding you that the writer really is your friend. A letter from a friend has a certain intimacy that an email, nah, it's just not there.

Life Happens: Enjoy the Ride by Rick Watson is a compilation of columns he's written for his local newspaper in Alabama. But as I read each one, I felt as if I had received a letter from Rick written just for me.

And every single letter made me happy because the letters provide me with a record of the happenings in the life of a close friend.

I've interviewed Rick the past two days (for Part I click HERE and for Part II click HERE), and in the interview he said his favorite column in the book is "A Family of Restless Spirits." I can see why that's his choice. It's so beautifully written. It starts like this:

This week I've spent time at Davis Cemetery, where my folks are buried. Decoration is the second Sunday in June, and it takes a while to get the old cemetery in shape.

It's a peaceful place most of the time. My mom, dad and brothers are buried at the top of the hill, close to the service road that encircles the graveyard. I was there one evening this week, sitting on the tailgate of my truck, giving them updates about what's happening in my life.

And that's exactly what Rick does in his columns. He gives us updates on his life. He doesn't rant and rave about politics or how much he hates this or that. He enjoys gardening, and he loves going fishing.

And he's quite often very funny. Like the time he and his wife Jilda checked into a hotel and the young man carrying their bags thought that Rick was Jilda's dad:

I heard him say, "I see you brought your dad with you." That would have been OK with me if he'd been trying to score some points with Jilda, but he was serious.

Jilda smiled as she looked back over her shoulder at me. When the bellhop looked back at me, I blazed him with a look that probably would have caused second degree burns on his face and neck had he been a step closer. 

Once he unloaded the bags he lingered for a tip. I thought to myself, we'll find cures for cancer, heart disease, and stupidity before I give you a tip, sonny boy. Of course he probably could have taken early retirement with the tip Jilda gave him.

Rick doesn't go for the big guffaws. He's relaxed and understated. Life Happens is a great book to read at bedtime so you fall asleep knowing that God is in His Heaven and all's right with the world.

Life Happens by Rick Watson has The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval. You can purchase it from Amazon at  http://www.amazon.com/Life-Happens-Holler-Scholar-Volume/dp/0615677738.

I also recommend following Rick's blog, Life 101.

I have one more thing I want to say about Rick. Not too long ago I asked a favor of him. He didn't ask why. He didn't hesitate. He emailed back with "Sure thing, girlfren."

That's the kind of person Rick Watson is.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

AUTHOR AUTHOR: RELAXING RICK WATSON PART II

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Today we continue our interview with Rick Watson, who blogs over at Life 101. His latest book, a compilation of his newspaper columns called Life Happens: Enjoy the Ride is available from amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Life-Happens-Holler-Scholar-Volume/dp/0615677738.

And now, heeeeere's Rick:

Q. I know you are multi-talented -- singer/songwriter/guitarist, writer, and now becoming a master gardener. Do you have additional interests?

A. Yes, I’m interested in therapeutic spanking, and fly fishing, though I normally don’t do these together. Actually one of the challenges I face is that I’m interested in a lot of things. But I try to focus on writing and music because I can do these from anywhere.  My wife Jilda and I’ve been married 39 years, and we’ve always played music together. I played guitar for her when she entered the high school beauty contest in 1969. She sang Gentle on my Mind. We’ve played in Ireland and at coffee houses and festivals across the south. Music is part of who we are.

I think this fish is actually smiling because Rick
is the person who caught him.

Q. If you had to give up all of your activities except one, which one would you continue?

A. I will write and play music as long as I’m able. They are actually more connected than one might imagine.

Q. What gives you joy?

A. We have a lot of great friends and nothing makes me happier that to 

break bread together. We have a small songwriter think tank and we 

gather each month to eat, play the new songs we’ve written, and to 

provide support for each other. 

We have friends in their late 80s and friends in their twenties. We’re 

just a friendly couple.

Q. What's your favorite column in Life Happens? 

A. If I had to say one, it would be “A Family of Restless Spirits.”

Q. What do you want the world to know about Rick and Jilda Watson and Life Happens?

We meet people all the time that say to us, “I feel like I know you both.” That’s because when I write in my Blog and my columns, it’s almost like my journal. One could read back over the years of my blog and get a sense of what my life is about.

I know exactly what Rick means. I feel as if I know him from his blog, and now I know him even better because of Life Happens, which I'll review tomorrow.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

P.S. Therapeutic spanking, hmmmmm? I must mention that Rick inserted a smiley face after that comment which did not copy when I was cutting and pasting his answers.

AUTHOR AUTHOR: RELAXING RICK WATSON

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

This week our focus is on Rick Watson of the lovely blog, Life 101. His second book, Life Happens: Enjoy the Ride, is available at http://www.amazon.com/Life-Happens-Holler-Scholar-Volume/dp/0615677738.

Rick Watson, a gentleman if ever there was one

The synopsis from the back of his book reads as follows:

Life Happens, published by HomeFolk Media, is the second book from author Rick Watson. Watson is a freelance writer, columnist, and photographer. He and his wife Jilda are singer/songwriters who perform at coffeehouses, festivals, and other events throughout the South. 

And now I give you Mr. Rick Watson of Alabama.



Q. For the benefit of my readers who ever so foolishly might not follow your blog, will you please expound on your career as a writer and on the genesis of Life Happens?

A. If I’d known when I was younger that I would become a writer, I would have paid attention in English class.

I founded an alumni website for my high school alma mater in 2001, and I started scanning yearbooks and putting them on the site, but I also started writing stories about my memories of high school. I wrote stories about teachers, my friends, and events that happened during my high school years. To my surprise the site exploded with followers. I received a lot of encouragement about the stories I wrote.

Then in 2005, I got on Blogger with no real plans of how I would approach the writing. As it turns out, I got in a habit of writing daily. Some of my updates were long and some short.

In 2006 I decided to approach The Daily Mountain Eagle, our local newspaper and asked if I could write a weekly column. The editor was hesitant because apparently a lot of people wanted to write a column, but in his experience they burned out after a few months, and he was stuck with a slot to fill.

I told him I had a year’s worth of columns already written. I opened my briefcase and handed him about a half dozen to look over. He called the next day and said I had the job.

After two years of weekly columns in the Sunday Lifestyle section of the paper, I decided to publish a compilation of those columns. My first book was entitled Remembering Big. 

A few years later I published my second book Life Happens.




Q. What did you learn from the publication of your first book that helped you with the current book?

A. I learned the value of having a good editor. I found a lot of errors after printing my first book, so when I was putting together Life Happens, I had two professional editors.

Q. Your writing style is very laid back and folksy. Does that come naturally to you, or do you cultivate it? In other words, have you developed a persona as a writer, or do we get plain ole Rick Watson? I hope you're as nice as you seem to be!

A. I think the secret to writing is finding your voice. I struggled early on. I had good story ideas, but I wrote around them. I think writing every day is important because you learn what resonates with readers. Somewhere along the way I found my voice.The late Clarke Stallworth was a mentor that helped me find my way.

I don’t think I’ve developed a persona. What you see (read) is what you get.


Q. How do you promote your book?

A. The more I learn about book promotion, the more I realize I don’t know squat. I have a built in audience that reads my column each week so I have name and face recognition in Central Alabama. Each time I sign books or speak to organizations, I usually sell some books. 

Trying to expand my audience to readers outside my geographic area has been challenging.

I’ve done Kindle Free promotions, I’ve connected with reviewers in the Blogosphere, and I’m working Goodreads. I’ve sold some books, but I still haven’t connected with “my people.” These are people who like to laugh, cry, and say to themselves, “Dang, I’m glad that didn’t happen to me.” 

Q. Did you have an epiphany when you knew your writing was good and had an effect on people, or did it sneak up on you?

A. I know when I’m in the zone that what I’m writing is good. The main challenge when you write every day is coming up with something interesting to say. Many times I write about the mundane, and that’s OK, because it keeps me in the game. I’m the kind of person that if I didn’t write one day, it would be twice as easy to skip the next day too. So I always have my antennas up scanning for good ideas to write about, but I write even when ideas are scarce.

I, for one, and the many followers at Rick's blog and the folks who read his newspaper columns, are grateful that Rick doesn't skip a day of writing.

And I hope that the questions I ask our authors are helpful to those of you who are working on books, or who have written a book. You never know where you might find some inspiration and helpful information.

Tomorrow, Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell, more from Rick Watson.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

VOTE FOR JULI! PRETTY PLEASE!

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I was hanging out at Pickleope's blog the other day and at the end of a post about Scooby Doo giving Pickleope trust issues, I found some very interesting information. It seems The Indie Chicks at Indie Chicks awards are celebrating their first birthday by giving out Badass Blog Awards. Pickleope was nominated and asking for votes. So I voted for Pickleope. I hate pickles, but not pickleopes.

Then I perused all the categories. When I saw the Best Mommy Blog nominations, I squealed with delight. Surviving Boys is nominated! That's Juli's blog!

When I had 13 followers for what seemed like forever, Juli was the breakout person who followed me. She was #14. And then others followed. I love Juli! You'd better believe I voted for Surviving Boys in a New York minute.

So please go to http://theindiechicks.com/badass-blog-awards-vote-for-your-favorite-bloggers/ and find the words "Best Mommy Blog." The last nominated blog is Surviving Boys. Please go there right away and vote for Juli and Surviving Boys. I have no idea when the voting ends.

In the comments on her post yesterday, Juli said that her husband Tony had tried to vote for her and it said the category was closed. But fishducky left a comment saying she had voted for Juli. So I don't know what the deal is with the voting, but please TRY to vote.

If you need reasons to vote for Juli other than "because Janie Junebug told me to," then I have reasons for you:

• Juli has shepherded her two sons, Oldest and Youngest, through the death of their father (Juli's ex) with grace and dignity.
• Juli has married Tony and created a blended family with Bonus Brother.
• Juli has started lacing up her sneakers and she's on the move. This summer she'll take on the challenge of the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure to benefit breast cancer research. She's raised the money required to enter, and she's going to walk 60 miles during the hottest part of the summer because we ALL know someone who's been affected by breast cancer.
• Juli works super hard as a mom, a mail carrier, and a blogger.
• Juli has really developed her writing skills in the past year. She was always a good blogger, but I've watched her get better and better. 

I'd really like to see Juli win this award. I'm sure everyone who's nominated is deserving, but hey! Juli is one of our own around this neck of the blog.

This is Juli.
She's my bud.
Please vote for her.

Please don't procrastinate. Vote for Surviving Boys now! Go to http://theindiechicks.com/badass-blog-awards-vote-for-your-favorite-bloggers/.

Thank you.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

THANK YOU & A NICE COMMENT

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I appreciate that so many of  you called MD Towing to thank them for helping me. One of you even wrote a thank you note to them.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, click HERE to read the post.

I wrote a 5 Star Review of their services that I posted online.

Since you probably wouldn't have any reason to go back to the post and read all the comments, I want to share a comment here. It's from Alex's wife. He was answering the phone at MD and dispatching the gentlemen who assisted me.

Alex's wife calls herself Hot Lips, and she writes:

Thank You for appreciating what my husband (Alex)and the

drivers do..... They are all hard workers! It's hard to find good 

companies these days and just as hard to find good people who 

are genuinely appreciative of their work!


I think her comment is really sweet and it made me very glad that so many of you joined me in telling

them that they're doing a great job.


Infinities of love,


Janie Junebug

MOVIE WEEKEND: ANNA KARENINA

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Today I present for your consideration Anna Karenina (2012, Rated R, available on DVD).

I am not a fan of the Russian writers, but for some reason, I'm fond of poor, foolish infatuated Anna Karenina; so I felt eager to see this movie. Furthermore, it was directed by Tom Stoppard, who directed The King's Speech, a movie I loved and thought very well made. Alert: I'm in error here. Tom Hooper directed The King's Speech. Tom Stoppard is one of the writers for Anna Karenina; it was directed by Joe Wright. Changes everything, doesn't it?

Anna (Keira Knightley) is married to the rather cold and pompous Count Alexei Karenin (Jude Law). The marriage doesn't seem very interesting or exciting, but Anna loves their son. Then Anna meets the dashing young Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Soon everyone is gossiping about their affair, and when Anna leaves Karenin for Vronsky, she loses her son and finds she is cast out by society.

I like this movie, and I don't.

The costumes are lavish and beautiful. The entire movie is stylishly choreographed. When Anna and Vronsky dance together for the first time at a ball, the other characters stop moving as we see the whirlwind romance beginning. As Anna and Vronsky dance past the other characters, the still dancers suddenly make a single movement in unison, indicating that, yes, they are there, but they are of little importance compared to the two people who are falling in love.

The sets are interesting, too. A horse race is acted out on stage, rather than on a track or in a field. The actors make visible movements from one set to another, but the viewer does not see the accoutrements of film making. Rather, the transfers have a flair and originality.

The overarching component of the film, however, is its rhythm. Office workers stamp papers loudly in unison and make the same movements, suggesting the dullness and repetition of the work. More important, though, is the rhythm of the train we see and hear in the most important scenes of the movie – when Anna first meets Vronsky at a train station and a man is killed by the train, and then again, when the train moves relentlessly as Anna meets her fate.

It's the acting in Anna Karenina that disappoints me. Jude Law is probably the best of the bunch. Keira Knightley is beautiful, but she's not Anna. I think it's that she doesn't have an aura of tragedy about her, and perhaps her acting skills simply weren't up to the part. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is simply awful as Vronsky. We have no reason to think that Anna would give up her son and the rest of her life for Vronsky, who looks kind of half-witted and has the most ridiculous dyed blonde curls on top of his dark hair.

This movie is definitely not for children. It would bore them. They'd whine, When will this be over? and you wouldn't be able to watch. Because I'm unhappy with the acting, but I like the style of the movie, I give Anna Karenina The Janie Junebug Kinda Sorta Seal of Approval.

I think someone out there will like it.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug