My Dad Wrote this... I love my Dad

Thanks Dad - xoxo

Woohoo, we have reached that day of the week where the Eagle lands and the weekend is in view. A long weekend at that and supposed nice weather!! A time for the child in all of us to embrace the outdoors and breathe in the fresh air. Turn off your computers, the TV's, cell phones and video games. Go to a park, a beach, the mountains or take a walk in the woods. Enjoy a picnic lunch somewhere you have not been before or haven't visited for a long time. Take along a camera and film a bug crawling up a tree branch or clouds passing in front of the full moon (this actually happened last night). Watch a bird make a nest or maybe feed their fledglings. Scratch a dog behind the ears or pet a cat, both are relaxing for both of the participants. Take in a movie and a meal with someone(s) or eat breakfast in bed alone. Read a book on the beach or stargaze with binoculars. Stop and listen to a child and what they say. Make them feel important, it is great for the old blood-pressure. Not to mention that the smile on their face will last long after the conversation. Look as someone and smile, not a glancing smile, but a real one. One that makes them take notice. One that they may pass onto someone else. Stop and let a car out into traffic, then see if that car returns the consideration. It works! Sit down on the driveway and create a work of art with chalk, even if it is a tic-tac-toe game. Don't always play to win, play to play. Plant some seeds that will grow into who knows what. Grab some popcorn and toss it into the air and catch it in your mouth or not, then try again. Remember that how we see ourselves is way more important than how others see us. If you can hold, hug, embrace or touch someone feel their heartbeat and warmth. Feel them touch you. Walk out into the sunshine with a cold drink and salute the world we live in and the people we care about. Happiness is not just about what we get out of the world, but what we put into it too. Enjoy your weekend, your children and each other.

dad, grampy, me
xo

Summer Movies

I'm looking forward to the upcoming movie season! From Letters to Juliet to Iron Man 2 to The Last Airbender! I can't wait for summer movies!! What are you waiting for?
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One thing I don't look forward to is all the reviewers and critics who will be upset by the lack of deeper meaning in these movies or the other extreme finding some deep and hidden meaning in a movie that is just "for entertainment purposes only". Can't movies be made for no other purpose than to be watched? I understand that studios and directors and actors these days are often clamoring for their piece of the almighty Merchandising dollar - But sometimes a movie is just fun to watch. I often try to blatantly ignore the deeper meaning and watch the movie for the sake of watching the movie to be entertained. So many people tell us that movies have power - this is true - to an extent. Movies can make us think - but they are still movies. Made by someone holding or programming a camera. They would not exist outside someone's imagination if it weren't for that important piece of equipment.
So in the summer rush or blockbusters and bombs I urge you to just go watch a movie. Enjoy it at face value and for 2 and half hours ignore all else - still the best way to spend a rainy afternoon if you ask me.