MacGyver, Where Are You?

I took a three-hour nap a few days ago. My husband was watching reruns of MacGyver while I dozed. Every time I stirred, Mac was rescuing a hostage, racing through shrubbery, or stuffing potatoes into exhaust pipes. That guy was so cool.

We need to resurrect Angus MacGyver (yep, Angus was his first name.)  He could help with so many things here in the Ballpark:

1. He could rig the dishwasher to load itself.

2. Ditto for the washer.

3. He could fashion a drive way track that would guide the trash cans down to the curb and back again.

4. He could make a safe grapefruit peeler out of a razor blade and a toothbrush. It takes a long time to peel a grapefruit like an orange, but that's how we like 'em.

5.  He could make a lizard catcher. We're just too slow when it comes to getting them out of the house here in Florida.

6.  He could create a hanging rope that would allow me to swing down to the first floor instead of risking tripping down our 14 steps, which I did recently. He'd probably need more than duct tape to accomplish this one.

7.  He could wire the kitchen cabinet so when I'm tempted to steal a piece of dark chocolate, I get a shock. Drastic times; drastic measures.

I'm feeling overwhelmed these days. Writing is calling me, my adult children and their spouses have become fun adult friends to hang out with, baby James is around, allowing me smooches and snuggles, and my parents are becoming more fragile every month. And then there's all this stuff MacGyver could be helping with.

I love the people in my life, and I want to be available to them, so I'm thinking something has to change.

Therefore, I'm creating a newsletter.

HA! It sounds like lunacy, but I believe it will streamline my writing, which will free up some time to love on the people I love, peel grapefruits, and catch lizards. (Doesn't look like MacGyver is coming anytime soon.)

I'll keep blogging, but less frequently, and the newsletter will alert you as to when a new post is up. There are so many things I want to write about and touch on and research...my newsletter will have quick updates, inspirational morsels, links to projects/recipes/news items, my favorite books, and more. I hope you'll sign on, so we can stay in touch.

I promise it will take less time (because you probably have grapefruit/lizard issues too) to read my newsletter than to read a blog post. You may want to click on enclosed links, or not; I'll just make them available to you.  My goal is to bring practical, grace-filled, substantial, and humorous treats into your life. You might be overwhelmed too, and just need an encouraging face in your inbox.

I value your input and would also like to know what topics bring you to the Ballpark - the caretaking issues, my faith journey, DIY projects, chasing wellness, or whatever (even the ex-clown.)  If you want to hear my thoughts on something new, write that in the box. We'll take this journey together!

As always, thank you for sharing in my life.

I just did some research and discovered MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) is 66 years old now. He's probably tired of saving the world, so I guess I'll have to let him off the hook from helping me out around here. 

I do think he could make a grapefruit peeler while he's plopped in his recliner though.

Y I Watch Dancing with the Stars

PHOTO SOURCE

Yes, I'm cheating. "Why I watch dancing with the stars" would be grammatically correct, but who are we kidding here?  By "Y" day in the a-z challenge, anything goes. I'm being creative.

Aside from the trashy costumes most female dancers wear on DWTS, I like the show. (I appreciate the gowns that are more modest and elegant, but maybe that's just me.) Here's Y:

1. I like the back stories of each celebrity. Hearing their struggles reminds me that their lives are not all glitz and glamor. 

2. I admire the courage of the stars who really step out of their comfort zone to do the show: the NFL players, the 70 year olds, the comedians with no sense of rhythm.

3. I like that the stars who are dumped still say the experience was wonderful, they learned a lot, and they're grateful to their professional partner.

4. I love Disney night, when everyone dances to a Disney song. The choreography and costumes that night are magical.

5.  I like that the judges tell the truth. They really are looking for the stars to learn how to dance, and they're constructively critical when they need to be.

6.  I love that the stars really want that tacky mirror ball trophy. They're like little kids at a t-ball game.

7. I love that disabled stars are invited to participate. They bring me to tears every time.

8. I love that overweight stars are invited to participate. Dance and movement are not limited to the athletic and thin.

9. I love that all the teams root for each other.

10. I love that former DWTS stars are often in the audience of current shows.

There are some life lessons exhibited in this show, and that's what keeps me watching. Check it out. Monday nights on ABC.

Fireproof

I watched a 7-year old movie last night called Fireproof.  It's about a fireman and his failing marriage and how he fights with God before turning to God to find a solution.

http://silverscreenspiritual.blogspot.com/2015/01/fireproof.html

It stars Kirk Cameron (who does a good job) as Caleb and some other unknown actors from Georgia. The co-stars are not exceptional in their acting abilities, but the storyline is good, and the movie realistically portrays how marriages can get off track.

Caleb's dad gives him a book called The Love Dare that slowly changes Caleb's heart and helps restore his marriage.

Because of the success of the movie, The Love Dare was published for the general public. It's an amazing little book full of daily challenges for anyone who is struggling to love someone with no motive but to learn to love the way God loves.

Marriage can be difficult, but this book can help anyone fireproof their relationship. Check it out.

Would You Like to Buy an 'O'?

Today, in honor of the letter O, I invited Ernie from Sesame Street and a curious stranger to perform one of my favorite numbers.  My kids grew up with Jim Henson and all his fuzzy friends.  The man was brilliant.






This post was brought to you by the letter O and the number 2.

Finding Neverland

I think Finding Neverland is my favorite movie.

Depp plays James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan.  The movie is based on Barrie's real-life friendship with the Davies family of a beautiful widow and her four active boys.  As he grows to love Sylvia Davies and her youngsters, the adventures of Peter Pan take shape in his mind.  It's such a delightful movie, great for kids and adults of all ages.  Dustin Hoffman is superb as the theater owner. 

I've never seen Johnny Depp look more handsome, or exhibit more charm.

I've never seen such a joyous scene as when Julie Christie claps her hands, signalling that, yes, she believes in fairies!

I've never seen such a sweet movie scene as when Depp points out to the child George that he has indeed become a man. 

I've never seen a more beautifully, heart-wrenching movie scene with a child (at the end, when Freddie Highmore and Depp are on the park bench.)  I cannot watch it without tears.  Ever.

If you have not seen Finding Neverland, you have not witnessed Johnny Depp's best work.  If you only know him as Captain Jack Sparrow...you've only seen the quirky (albeit creative) face of Depp.  In Finding Neverland, he will steal your heart.

Make some popcorn and treat yourself to Finding Neverland this summer. It's magical.

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a great D word because it's delightful and despairing at the same time.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2425752/Downtons-strange-Dan-Michelle-Dockery-says-misses-star-Lady-Mary.html

Lady Mary finally finds true love with Matthew; Matthew dies in season three.

Edith finds love; Edith gets abandoned at the altar.

Sybil and Branson find true love with each other; Sybil dies in child birth.

Anna and Bates find true love in each other; Bates is jailed for killing his ex-wife.

Bates is freed!  Marries Anna!  Anna is sexually assaulted, and Bates is suspected of killing Anna's abuser.

O'Brien leaves, yeah!  Thomas stays, boo!

Edith is pregnant; her beau disappears, and she gives the baby away.

The theme song to DA is great; the opening scene of the dog's behind waddling across the lawn is not.

Do you watch Downton?  Do you find it delightful or despairing?

Throwing Stones

I've been thinking about Paula Deen a lot this week.  Her face has been plastered on the news every hour or so.
                                           
I watched her tearful interview on the Today show, and my heart went out to her.  She's clearly upset by and ashamed of the behavior that got her in this current mess.  She's terribly hurt by the condemnation she's received from so many of her sponsors.  She has apologized over and over for her language twenty-seven years ago. 

Apparently, an employee filed a law suit, claiming the working atmosphere in Deen's empire is discriminatory.  Over the course of the trial, Deen admitted she has used racial slurs in the past - almost thirty years ago.  Immediately, the Food Network dropped her.  Not two days later, Sears and Home Depot dropped her - they won't be selling her cookware anymore.  She's losing her Las Vegas restaurants.  And there's probably more to come. 

I don't know every detail of the suit filed against her, but this punishment upon punishment seems extreme.   Yes, she needs to correct her work environment, clean up whatever unjust shenanigans are going on.  I don't deny people have been hurt.  Deen is a senior citizen who was raised in the south, and, over the years, some attitudes might have needed adjusting. 

But, the woman is facing it.  She acknowledges that years ago she used some hateful words.  Not anymore.  Not for decades.  One can't build her brand to the level Deen has by systematically treating people badly.  The demonization of the woman seems unnecessarily brutal.

I imagine we all have said things we later regretted.  I certainly have.  The human heart is often ignorant and insensitive.  It can be fearful and defensive and prideful.  This is the condition we all share with Paula Deen.  Every one of us.

I pray we remember this as we watch the Deen saga play out.   Because she is a high profile figure, her sins are glaring and repeatedly highlighted.  She is paying for her mistakes in a very public, painful way.  I would never want that focus on my imperfect heart. 

I pray forgiveness for Deen emerges soon.  Nobody benefits from being incessantly dragged through the mud; certainly not the drag-ee, but not the dragg-er either.  God alone is qualified to judge the deeds of man.  And all of us will stand before Him someday.

Angelina's Choice

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SEUSSville

I was on the computer last week when a few dear friends from long ago came to mind.

Aunt Annie and Uncle Ubb
Waldo Woo
Rosy Ross
Vera Vinn
Jerry Jordan
Peter Pepper

And my very favorite, Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz.  Who, according to my son, looks like a bedspread.

                     

Do any of these names ring a bell?  Maybe you grew up with them, like I did.

Last week, they came to visit again when my daughter introduced them to the three-year old she babysits now and then.

Aunt Annie brought her alligator.  Uncle Ubb came with his umbrella.   And his underwear.  Rosy was back on her rhinoceros.  Jerry brought some jam.  Peter had his puppy.  Waldo was clean as a whistle, having just been hosed down by his his friend, Warren.  Luckily, Vera did not bring her violin (as she is very, very awful.) 

It was great to see that everyone was just as I remembered.  They hadn't changed a bit.

They have a relative who shows up only around the holidays.   He's a scroogy kind of fella who demands an awful lot from his sweet puppy.  I get irritated with him every year...for about twenty minutes.  Then, I remember he has a heart problem, and I just need to be patient.   Sure enough...he turns around, and pretty soon, he's seated at the head of the table carving the holiday ham.

Oh, to live in Seussville and be surrounded by whimsical, feathery creatures, where bears wear neck ties, turtles snooze in tuttle trees, camels walk on ceilings, and Whos celebrate Christmas morning with no gifts in sight.

Thank you, Theodor Seuss Geisel, for gifting me with the first books I remember reading.  

KARAOKE, anyone?

I admire people who stand up and sing in front of crowd.  Especially if they're not drunk.  I can't imagine ever doing it.  Unless I was singing with six other people, and I was in the back.  

The best and most horrific karaoke performance I've ever seen is this one, in a scene from My Best Friend's Wedding.   Julia Roberts' face is priceless.  Dermot Mulroney's character has the best-ever response.

Cameron Diaz sings karaoke 

 And to think - this will be "out there" forever.  This is why actors get paid the big bucks. 

G is for GROVER

Whom I happened to run across the other day while I was flipping through TV channels.  This blue, matted-fur Muppet with spindly limbs was a favorite when my youngin's were preschool age.    

I didn't realize he was nearing 50.  

Grover debuted on the Ed Sullivan show in 1967.   He's lived on Sesame Street since 1970.  Before that, he lived in Cleveland.   

He holds jobs as a waiter, a taxi driver, and a singing telegram artist.  He invariably runs across a balding, mustached customer named Mr. Johnson.  As a waiter, Grover brings him a bowl of tomato soup, when Mr. Johnson ordered split pea.  As a taxi driver, Grover takes him to the Empire State building, when Mr. Johnson wanted to go to Wall street.  As a singing telegram artist....well, Grover can't sing, so you can imagine.

He has a heart of gold, but the capabilities of a four-year old.  The fact that he got a taxi license is more than a bit disconcerting.  He probably charmed the guy at the DMV.  Grover is confused at times, but, boy is he lovable.

He has an alter ego named Super Grover who is "smarter than a speeding bullet."  Attired in a silver helmet from a suit of armor and a red cape, he flies around the city in search of someone in trouble.  His intentions are noble, but he often fumbles the rescue.  Luckily, he has a lot of Muppet friends who help him out.  Kermit is his best buddy.  Grover calls him "frogee baby," which Kermit hates.

Grover is loved around the globe.  In South America, he's known as Archibald.  In Portugal, he's known as Walter.  In Israel, he's known as Kruvi (cabbage.)  Go figure. 

He's been in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and on Jimmy Kimmel.

Not bad for a blue, fuzzy, middle-aged dude.