A Bird + A Lawyer + A Ham = A Classic

So Ren went to TPAC today on a school field trip to see a production of To Kill a Mockingbird. I know. I was also somewhat jealous. Of course, had it actually starred Gregory Peck I would have been, in the words of another southern gal near and dear to my heart, "pea green with envy." I would also have been somewhat shocked, as he's been dead for a few years now.

Is there anyone out there who has read the book and/or seen the movie and doesn't love it/them? If so, I'm going to put you on my church's prayer list. You are obviously suffering from some fever and are in need.

Having read the book I think the movie did it justice. Yes, it left out a few details. However, it remained true to the spirit penned by Ms. Lee. And the character portrayals were just icing on the cake, even those in the minor roles. Remember Miss Dubose? "Don't you say 'hey' to me you ugly girl!"

I have mentioned it before but had John-Heath been a little girl his name would have been Scout. And you know what that would have meant, don't you? He/she would have had to dress as a ham for Halloween at least once.

Well friends, goodnight from Maycomb.

images via

Wordless Wednesday

A future Ferris?



" Danke Schoen, Darling Danke Schoen..."

Teacher: Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Girl in class: Um, he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

My Bucket List

I noticed on the internet last night that Bill Clinton has created his bucket list so I thought I might just get started on one too - not that I am anywhere near the age of our former president, or Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson either for that matter.

Clinton mentioned that he would like to live to enjoy having grandkids. This is something I would also like one day - one day in the farrrr off future. Ren is only 14 so I best not be called granny anytime soon.

Well, here goes with the first three things that would make my life feel a little more complete.

1.) Get healthier (so that I can really enjoy the other items on the list)
2.) Visit all 50 of the states in our country. I have 21 left to see.
3.) Spend an entire summer abroad.

Just curious...what would be at the top of your list?


P.S. Pool is growing on me - a little.

Driving Miss Ren

I now know what it must have felt like for Morgan Freeman's character in Driving Miss Daisy when he would drop her off at some place where she had business and sit and wait until that business was finished. And, by the way, was that not a great movie? One of my absolute favorites.

Tonight, Ren attended the Lift-a-Thon held by our high school football team. We had sponsored one of her classmates and she wanted to go "keep an eye on her investment". He did quite well from what she said when we got home.

The event began at 5:30. I had actually planned on going home but thought I would just park and wait. I was sure it wouldn't take that long and it would be a waste to go home only to turn right around and return to pick her up. 2 hours later the lifters and their supporters began to exit.

What does one do for two hours in a parked car? Going in and watching the lift-a-thon was not an option due to my coif. So, I did what Hoke Colburn would have done had he been able to...I read. Sadly, the only thing available was this week's edition of our local newspaper. I usually just scan the articles and pictures that interest me. This evening, I read it cover to cover - all 8 pages. I even did the puzzles. I don't know that I have ever done that before.

I learned a valuable lesson tonight. It would be wise, at least when chauffeuring children, to keep a stash of Southern Living in the car.

A Star is Born

Last night we watched Ren's silver screen debut in Billy: The Early Years on DVD. The pause button and large screen certainly came in handy, but we were nonetheless excited to spot her. It had a short, limited release in October 2008 and I was able to see it at the Hendersonville theater but Ren was not with me that day, so this was her first time to see it.

In the spring of 2008 I was working in my office at school one Sunday after church when I happened to see a call for extras, or "background artists" as director Robby Benson calls them, when scanning the local news sites on the internet. Knowing Ren has always had a dream to be in the movies I hurried home and asked her if she would want to do it. Of course.

The article mentioned that those wanting to be considered as extras should come dressed in 1930's period attire. So I pulled out a tan skirt and off-white button-up sleeveless top that I thought would work and topped it off with a white button-up sweater. We also donned John-Heath in white t-shirt and overalls just in case.

The scene being shot was a tent revival on location in a large field in Lebanon, Tennessee (not too far from the Wilson County Fairgrounds). We arrived around 4:30 p.m. John and John-Heath bailed out around 9:00 that night (my niece Megan happened to be in Lebanon and came to their rescue). It seems that filming, even what amounts to no more than about 1 minute on screen, takes quite a while.

Ren had a blast getting to see some of the behind-the-scenes stuff. She was able to go through wardrobe and hair and make-up. The clothing she had worn passed the test and they only needed to accessorize her by adding a hat (to cover her highlighted hair - which would have been out of place in the 30s) and a church fan (you know the kind...the fan-on-a-stick usually provided by a local funeral home or other business). Her hair was just put in simple, low pigtails.

Once all hair and make-up was finished the extras were put into groups outside the tent and were instructed as to how they would enter the tent. By the time this began it was after 9 p.m. and the evening turned out to be unseasonably cool. Of course, they were filming a tent revival that was being held in the summer. In her little sleeveless top, lightweight sweater, and thin skirt Ren had already become cold. Some nice lady who had been smart enough to bring a large wrap loaned it to her. She was wearing this wrapped around her during the scene in which they enter the tent. I can spot her on the DVD walking toward the tent, pausing for a moment to let a horse-drawn wagon pass.

I had thought we would be able to make it through to the end (at 5 a.m.) but we, too, bailed after the supper break - which came a little after midnight. I think we were home by around 1:30 that morning. It just became too cold. I was okay, lucky to be in another tent with several large space heaters, but, by this point, Ren in her summer garments was so cold she was shaking. Though she was having a ball and wanted to stay she gave no argument when I said I thought we should probably head home. I waited until we were almost home to tell her that had she stayed until the end she would have been paid.

So, if you get a chance run out and rent Billy: The Early Years. And if you watch carefully you might just see her walking toward the tent. She also makes an appearance in the special features. You see her (to the left of the screen) turned talking to the man seated beside her during a break in filming. This is at the spot when the director is commenting on working with the background artists.

Of course, if you buy your own copy she'll be happy to autograph it for you - so you can say you "knew her when."

A Great Firecamp Party and Oscar Night All Rolled Into One Fantastic Evening

My sweet-as-a-gherkin-baby-boy has a giant sweet tooth (a genetic trait inherited, no doubt, from his grandfather) and ever since stuffing his face with as many marhsmallows as he could cram into his mouth with just his own two hands a few evenings ago at Ma-Ma and Pa Gene's, he has been asking for us to buy him some of his own. And he wanted us to build a "firecamp" over which we could roast them. Ren, while less than thrilled at picking up sticks to add to the pyre, managed to do so with a little help from a rusty red wagon and John-Heath.

The anticipated affair happened tonight. The exclusive, invitation-only, guest list included Ma Ma and Pa Gene, Grandma, Sissy, T, and Megan, Jon, Jessie, Weston, and Dylan. Party-crashing Catherine ( a friend of Megan's) showed up a little late, having become lost on Pleasant Grove Rd. (which is really no where close to where we live). She is a city-girl graduate of Goodpasture so we are hesitant to hold her at fault for this.

After an excellent meal it was off to the woods for the main event of the evening- the roasting of the marshmallows. The evening entertainment consisted of Wii Dance contests between Megan, Dylan, and Weston, with surprise dance performances by Jonathan and Aunt Sissy, and a short demonstration to Who Let the Dogs Out by Pa Gene. Video footage was taken - but strict instructions that it NOT be placed on the internet were given. We will, begrudgingly, respect their wishes. However, nothing was said of still photographs.

Finally, after all the guests had headed home, it was time for one of Ren's favorite televised shows - the Academy Awards. She watched and learned. And one day this yearly training will come in handy for her - I have no doubt.

Fe Fi Fo Fum

I have what one would call an addictive personality. I can watch the same show or listen to the same song over and over again until I just get sick of it. So, it's a good thing I've never felt a desire to drink or worse.


I suppose my children have inherited this trait from me. Ren will go through periods where she will watch the same television series over and over. Little House on the Prairie came first, then Reba, Seinfeld, I Love Lucy and now Desperate Housewives. John-Heath watches Spongebob Squarepants like it's going out of style.


And, like all children I suppose, they have their favorite bedtime story they want told again and
again.

Our children have always enjoyed being read to. They also enjoy being told stories too.

With Ren, the story she most requested was one about an old, thought-to-be haunted house near the local grade school. I would always have to put Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in as characters and her favorite part was when the door would screeeeeeetch open and something would jump out. Ren has always enjoyed this genre. She was no older than 5 when she first saw Sleepy Hollow.


John-Heath is also into the classics, though he does not enjoy being scared. His usual request is my simple little version of Jack and the Beanstalk. He is quick to point out when I change or omit something in the story. Did mother throw the beans out the window or door?

Fe Fi Fo Fum

I smell the blood of an Englishman

Be he alive or be he dead

I'll grind his bones to make my bread

Ren 10 Mom 8

Tonight Ren and I took our places along side each other on the couch for one of this season's award shows, the 67th annual Golden Globes. Regrettably, we missed the People's Choice earlier this month.

Watching these award ceremonies has been a ritual for us since she was just small. She has always had a passion for watching the performances of actors and, I know in her heart, would love to be among them. What young girl wouldn't, right?

Her first acting tendencies were noticed by her dad and me when she would spend hours watching Little House on the Prairie episodes on dvd and would pretend she was a character in the show, all while wearing a prairie-type costume I had had made for her for a 3rd grade oral presentation.

Fast forward from the 3rd grade to tonight. We love these shows. It is so much fun to ooh and ahh over what everyone is wearing and, of course, sneer at those dresses we don't like (more on that to come). Then there is the contest...who can correctly guess the most winners? Neither of us did so hot this time but Ren came out on top. Although she somewhat cheated and rules had to be clarified...you can only choose one when guessing a winner.

Here's the breakdown of our evening...

Correctly guessed winners: Ren 10 Tyla 8

Best dressed: Ren liked Fergie's dress while I thought Drew Barrymore's dress was very pretty and feminine. I might mention that I just saw where both these were on somebody's worst dressed list. Oh well, what is it they say? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And our eyes beheld lovely gowns.

Worst dressed: Ren found some little presenter's short black dress with the silver stripe (not sure who this person was) rather yucky while I thought Cher's dress was...well too Cher"ish".

Hottest actor of the night: Ren went for Mr. Clooney who "always looks so put together", she said. I just think Ashton Kutcher is just so darn cute - makes me want to go out and buy another Nikon.

Actor we hoped would win: Ren was pulling for George Clooney while I just love Tobey Maguire.

Actress we hoped would win: Ren thought it would be nice for Gabourey Sidibe (the Precious lead) to win in her category. We were both pleased when Meryl Streep won for Julie and Julia.

Biggest disappointment: Ren and Tyla - Avatar (because it won). Please don't send hate mail.

Bring on the Oscar's!