Thursday, May 28, 2015

Guest Post on Amy March


Happy Thursday everyone!

I was recently honored to do a character sketch of Amy March here for Hamlette's wonderful Little Women read-along. Do check it out and share your thoughts!

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

100th Post!!! And 10 Favorite Film Characters Tag


This is really and truly my 100th post! Can you believe it? Truth to tell, it’s rather crept up on me and I’ve subsequently been procrastinating just a tad while trying to think of something suitably magnificent for the occasion.

And…I’m afraid I haven’t, BUT since Hamlette kindly tagged me a couple weeks ago with the staggering task of highlighting 10 of my favorite film characters I decided to combine the two posts! (Besides, in the end, what could be better? And there’s also the whole 100 and 10 times 10 thing, so yes… it’s really all worked out rather neatly.) 

To mix it up a little (and also make it easier), I’ve also decided to make this ten of my favorite secondary, supporting characters. And now without more ado…

10 of My Favorite Film Characters (in no particular order):


Chuck ~ Shadow on the Mesa (2012)
Looking up to Wes—as the mentor friendship and brother-love is growing between them—and then fully taking his place as a man and a grown son.

Nicholas Higgins ~ North & South (2004) 
Strong minded—yet willing in the end to lay down his pride. The working friendship between him and Thornton is one of my favorite parts in one of my favorite stories.

Mother Abbess ~ The Sound of Music (2013)
Perceptive and gentle, with the perfect amount of perfectly timed tough love, she’s absolutely incredible. (And, as Carrie Underwood said, when she opens her mouth it’s like butterflies come out. Her voice is amazing.)

Will Scarlet ~ The Adventures of Robin Hood tv show w/Richard Greene (1955-1959)
(Generally) clever, a handy swordsman, and—with priceless accents and facial expressions—hilariously funny.

Jane Fairfax ~ Emma (1996)
While this isn’t my favorite Emma adaptation, this is definitely my favorite Jane—so thoroughly gentle, ladylike, and elegant.

Lady Camdon ~ The Christmas Candle (2013)
Another wise woman who can dispense a tough and loving word in season.

The Captain of the Guard ~ Cinderella (2015)
The Captain is entirely splendid. When we finally reached the end—and he’s pretty much saving the day—I just wanted to cheer.

Steve ~ The Big Country (1958)
Deeply conflicted—with so many excellent, gripping qualities. And (when it comes to story inspiration) another monumental game changer.

José Iturbi (playing himself!) ~ Anchors Aweigh (1945)
Gentle and gentlemanly, with a twinkling smile and such genuine, deeply caring concern—Iturbi is simply, absolutely, and entirely the best. He’s superb. A classic.

Sephorah ~ The Ten Commandments (1956)
Strong, clear sighted, forthright… Sephorah is actually a very new favorite, but she exemplifies so much of what I love in a heroine. Watching the film, I was liking her quite well—and then she completely won me over: “A jewel has brilliant fire, but it gives no warmth. …Love is not an art to us. It is life to us.” 

Tell me! Are any of these your favorites as well?

~ ~ ~

And I’m tagging:


Have fun! :)

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

*Requiring the attendance of all good story lovers* and a GIVEAWAY!


I’m tremendously excited to be launching a new monthly link up, Inkling Explorations, over on my author blog Sharing the Journey! The only qualification for entry is being a lover of good story, with a passion for delving into the stuff out of which good stories are made (in both literature and film). :)

And, as part of this first month’s grand beginning, I’m also hosting a giveaway! You can follow the link here for full details. 

I can’t wait to see you over there and I do hope you'll join us!


Saturday, May 9, 2015

Blue & Green and Some Happinesses of May


Following is one of my favorite short children’s poems. It was going through my head again a couple days ago as I was doing chores and looking up at the nearest thorny locust trees just unfurling their ferny fronds in the early sunset. I love those trees… (the leaves, not the thorns). Sometimes they look like something from a picture in Africa—or a South American jungle—and it’s such a pleasure to have them in our own backyard! Anyhow, they inspired me to run in and bring out my camera—and here, too, is the poem:

"I'm glad the sky is painted blue
And the earth is painted green
With such a lot of nice fresh air
All sandwiched in between."
~ Author unknown ~


And some of the Maytime happinesses I'm having…


Driving roads thick with living, early summer green while running errands.


My rosebush blooming, deep pink and fragrant.

Hot pink geraniums in a hanging pot.

A wonderful, long, heart-to-heart phone call, and encouraging emails with patient and loving friends.

Watching the old Buccaneers tv show with my family.



Starting a book I’ve never read before on the recommendation of another friend.


Dreaming of mountains and wide open spaces.


Pictures of turquoise water:


This quote from C.S. Lewis yet again:

“Joy is distinct not only from pleasure in general but even from aesthetic pleasure. It must have the stab, the pang, the inconsolable longing.”


Pondering and clinging to this verse from Zephaniah: “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Good dark coffee in the mornings and Oolong tea.


Listening to good music while washing dishes:


And this just makes me smile...


What are some of your favorite Maytime delights?



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