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Sunday, July 30, 2023

Finding Love at Any Age: Don't Miss this Classic Rom Com

Don't miss this fantastic classic Rom-Com movie

Hey there, fellow movie enthusiasts and hopeless romantics!

Today, I'm excited to talk about one of my all-time favorite films that will make you believe in love again, regardless of age.

It's the heartwarming and side-splitting romantic comedy, "Something's Gotta Give."

Picture this: an aging playboy, a sophisticated playwright, a picturesque beach house, and a whole lot of hilarious encounters. Welcome to the whirlwind world of "Something's Gotta Give."

Side Note: The beach house in this movie, and the master suite where "Erica" writes, is my personal-manifestation-dream-writing-spot!

First things first, here's the star-studded cast. Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Frances McDormand, Keanu Reeves, and Amanda Peet.

When you have the legendary Jack Nicholson and the timeless beauty Diane Keaton in the lead roles, you can expect nothing less than magic on the screen. With their sparkling chemistry, the duo brought this heartwarming story to life and made us laugh, cry, and cheer them on throughout the movie.

Side Note: How many times do you watch a movie you love? I've watched this one more than 20 times!

So, what's the story all about? Well, brace yourself for an unexpected turn of events. The film starts with Harry Sanborn (played by Nicholson), a seasoned music mogul with a reputation for dating women half his age. While on a romantic getaway with his latest young girlfriend, Marin Barry (the daughter of Erica Barry played by Diane Keaton) things take a wild turn when he suffers a heart attack.

After Harry's health scare, Erica and Harry end up spending time together in Erica's beautiful beach house, and that's when the real fun begins.

Both Harry and Erica are strong-willed and fiercely independent individuals, each set in their ways. Sparks fly, witty banter ensues, and soon they find themselves caught in a love-hate relationship that has us on the edge of our seats.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. While "Something's Gotta Give" could have taken the typical route of a May-December romance, the movie beautifully delves into the complexities of relationships and self-discovery. Harry and Erica's dynamic is a rollercoaster of emotions, full of laughs and poignant moments that'll tug at your heartstrings.

The film's charm also lies in the supporting cast, including the quirky but endearing Marin's (Peet) pursuit of her own happiness and the charming doctor for Harry, played by the ever-charismatic Keanu Reeves.

Side Note: One of the many reasons I rewatch this movie is the amazing Keanu Reeves

Amid laughter and unexpected romance, "Something's Gotta Give" leaves us with a powerful message: that love doesn't always happen at the "right" time or the "right" age. It's unpredictable, messy, and beautiful in all its forms.

The movie reminds us that we should embrace the journey, cherish the moments, and never shy away from taking a chance on love, regardless of age or circumstance.

So, if you're in the mood for a delightful romantic comedy that'll make you laugh, cry, and believe in love again, "Something's Gotta Give" is the perfect pick for your movie night.

With its witty humor, fantastic performances, and a heartwarming story that transcends age barriers, it's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Remember, love, knows no age and can surprise us when we least expect it. Who knows, maybe you'll find your own "something" when you watch this excellent movie.

So grab some popcorn, cozy up on the couch, and let "Something's Gotta Give" work magic on your heart.

I watched it again the other night and plan to watch it again soon.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Saturday, July 29, 2023

The Mary Willis Library in Washington, Georgia

Travel Review of an historic library landmark

In 2016, as Hurricane Matthew was approaching the coast of Georgia near where I lived just 10 miles from the ocean outside Savannah, GA, I evacuated to my friends' house in Washington, Georgia, a small town located 190 miles inland. If you live in a coastal area, hurricane evacuations are often mandatory and almost always a wise move.

Storm damage from Hurricane Matthew on the Georgia coast

As it turned out, my area was without electricity for five days and suffered severe tree and structural damage, along with flooding. So I was safe & sound for the duration in charming little Washington, Georgia.

The town of Washington, located about 100 miles east of Atlanta, has a population of only a bit over 3500 people, yet it is a delightful town with much to offer visitors, even those who had to arrive, as I did, on an unplanned expedition.

Being a voracious reader, I told my friend I would love to be able to get a library book or two to read during my stay, so she took me to her town library. Turns out, Washington's library is more than just a public library; it is an historical site and a most charming place to visit.

The Mary Willis Library

The Mary Willis Library was opened in 1889 and became the very first free public library in the state of Georgia. It was founded by Dr. Francis T. Willis in memory of his daughter Mary and as a gift to the people of his hometown. It was designed by Atlanta architect Edmund Lind and constructed with bricks in the picturesque profile of the high-Victorian style of Queen Anne.

Mary Willis Library Stained Glass Windows

The interior has high beams and tall Tiffany stained-glass windows, with the central window commemorating Mary Willis. The original furnishings of the library are still in use.

In addition to the collection of current library materials, Mary Willis Library has an invaluable core collection of rare books on Wilkes County and Georgia history, books by local authors, family memorabilia and Washington newspapers

In 1972, the Mary Willis Library was listed with the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. A well-deserved recognition, as it is a most charming building and a delight to visit, not only for your reading pleasure, but for the history and beauty of this 100-plus year building.

Summary

In addition to a lovely visit with my friends, who were kind enough to shelter me during my hurricane evacuation, having access to this library and books to read helped fill the anxious hours until I was able to return home. Discovering the beautiful and historic Mary Willis Library was a delightful bonus.

Image by Jud McCranie, CC 4.0 on Wikipedia

*Travel Review by Wednesday Elf

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Friday, July 28, 2023

Microwave Egg Poacher Makes Perfect Eggs for Egg Muffins

I am delighted to be able to review and recommend the Nordic Ware 2 Cup Microwave Egg Poacher. It exceeds initial expectations.

When my husband said he wanted to buy an egg poacher and make a copycat egg muffin like the popular fast food restaurant, I was willing to be his taste-tester. He wanted something that would be fast and easy so we did a search for a microwavable egg poacher to start.

I was concerned about how flimsy so many of them were, but when we came across the Nordic Ware poacher, the search was over. I love Nordic Ware products.

I had not previously used one of their microwave cookware pieces, but I have been using their shaped bakeware pans for decades so I know they are a reliable, trustworthy and well-made brand. Their egg poacher is no exception!

I am quite impressed with the sturdy cup design of the Nordic Ware Egg Poacher. The hinges are my only concern, but only time and constant use will tell about them. However, I'm not overly concerned since the price is low enough that replacing it after a few years should not be too difficult.

Nordic Ware 64702 2 Cup Microwave Egg Poacher, WhiteCheck PriceHow to Make Poached Eggs with the Nordic Ware Egg Poacher

The poacher makes two poached eggs at one time.

To make the poached eggs, lightly butter each egg cup, add an egg in each cup, break the yolk if desired, and add 1 teaspoon of water per egg.

Snap the egg poacher shut and cook in the microwave for 80 seconds for firm, fully cooked eggs (microwave cooking time may vary). Then, let them set and continue to steam cook for 30 seconds before opening the poacher.

The cooked eggs easily slide out of the poacher cups.

I recommend handwashing the egg poacher to lengthen the life and maintain the quality of the microwavable dish.

Egg Muffin Recipe

My husband loves the Thomas English Muffins, so selecting the muffins was no problem for him. He also purchased Canadian bacon and of course, eggs. For my egg muffin, he added a slice of American cheese, but he prefers his without cheese.

He butters and toasts the muffins in the oven and heats the Canadian bacon in the microwave.

Simply layer the cheese, the Canadian bacon, and the poached eggs in the muffin. Add salt and pepper to season and you have created the perfect copycat egg muffin of the egg muffin served in your favorite fast food restaurant.

egg muffins made with poached eggs, canadian bacon and muffins

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Photographing Wildflowers in Missouri

Purple Coneflower

I love wildflowers and, in the spring and summer, they are abundant in Missouri. It makes photographing them so very easy, I can find them in parks, along the sides of roads, on my neighborhood walks and even in my own yard. When I am planning to go out specifically to take photographs, I usually bring my Sony mirrorless camera along with a 55-200 zoom lens. It makes it easy to take pictures at a distance and also to zoom in for closer shots. When I am taking my dog for walks in the neighborhood, I always have my iPhone handy, and I find that it takes great shots of the wildflowers I find in the neighborhood and at our park.

The photo at the beginning of this article was taken at O'Day Park in O'Fallon, Missouri. It is a purple coneflower, that is very popular in my area in the summer months. It is one of my favorite wildflowers. I took my granddaughters to the park and brought along my Sony to capture the wildflowers that were in abundance.

O'Day Park Wildflowers

O'Day Park is a 57-acre park in O'Fallon that features a lodge, playground, camping and miles of paths and trails throughout the park. Near the playground area, I discovered a paved trail that had lots of beautiful wildflowers along the sides. They were in full bloom during our visit, and I was able to capture several different types of Missouri wildflowers. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Plains Coreopsis

Rough Blazing Star

Queen Anne's Lace

Purple Coneflower with Bee

Around the Neighborhood

The photos in this section were all taken on my walks in my neighborhood. They were all taken with my iPhone.

Trumpet Vine

Purple Coneflower and Golden Alexander

Lance Leaf Coreopsis

In My Yard

As I was looking at lists of Missouri wildflowers online, I noticed that many of the flowers in my flower beds are considered wildflowers. I know that all of them were started with a single clump given to me by and friend and all have spread like crazy. They make a colorful bordered on the side of my house.

Primrose

Wild Geranium

Bottle Brush Blazing

Black-eyed Susan

Learn More about Wildflowers

There are many books to give you tips on photographing wildflowers. Here is one I found on Amazon.

Wildflower Photography: Getting FromCheck Price

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Problems with Aging Parents and How to Cope ~ A Product Review

Having a parent move in with you sounds like the ideal way for an elder person to spend their remaining years.

I'm here to tell you that it is indeed one way to manage the care and physical needs of someone who can no longer do these things for themselves. Entering into a long term care facility was not an option in our case, and I'm kind of glad that it isn't. But I'll be the first one to tell you that it is not the easiest thing to do.

Aging is a process we will all go through if we are healthy. As the years go by though, those aging processes become much more intense and possibly detrimental to a good relationship that you may have had years earlier.

I will tell you our story as it is unfolding. My mother will soon be 92 years old. When she first moved in with us, she was still fairly mobile and able to do many things for herself. She just needed us to make sure she was taking her meds and eating well balanced meals. Getting her to doctor's appointments and such. We were happy to be able to help her do all those things.

At almost 92 though, things seem to change a lot quicker in a very short period of time.

shoelessRVA_photography/pixabay

Mobility has become a major issue. She just isn't able to get up as quickly as she did a few months ago.

Incontinence has become a major issue! She still is able to use the facilities, but sometime she's not able to get to the facilities as quickly as she should. So what happens next is the problem.

Just the other night she was sitting in her favorite chair watching Jeopardy! So far so good, but then she thought she should get ready to go to sleep. When she got up, I think she realized that she had had an accident. There was a towel on the chair.

Not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, I got the towel and realized indeed it was very wet and the chair was as well.

Google was a big help in finding a solution to the odor accompanying the accident on the chair. I found this article to be very helpful and you could use it as well for accidents with pets! Removing Unpleasant Odors from Couches and Chairs

So after treating the chair with this solution we decided to go one step further in case there are any more accidents just waiting to happen.

A waterproof chair pad was ordered from good and trusty Amazon. The chair pad has a cloth surface but is lined with a waterproof plastic underneath. It has an anti-slip and waterproof backing to keep the pad in place on the chair. If my mother has another accident, it will just be a matter of removing the chair pad and replacing it with a clean one. It's big enough and yet small enough that you can had launder it in the kitchen or bathroom sink. Hang it out to dry and it'll be ready for another use in no time at all. Or most of them can be laundered in the washing machines as well. It is not bulky or odd looking on the chair so I'm sure this will be a good solution to this new problem that we are encountering. These come in a TWO Pack and in three different colors.

Waterproof Incontinence Chair Pads 2 Pack Non Slip Absorbent Pads, 22" x 21" Wheelchair Reusable Seat Pads Cover, Washable Nursery Pee Pad Seat Protector - Navy

Choose the color that you like the best or that matches your furniture the best!

I really like that the size is a good fit and that it doesn't move around because of those little grippers on the backside. This was an easy fix.

We also have incontinenece pads for her to use on a daily basis and there are several different brands and absorbency levels available. We are using the maximum absorbency for her now and she really likes that they keep her dry and fresh even when little leaks might occur.

Aging is not an easy process and our bodies need all the help they can sometimes get. Thank goodness there are products available just for this purpose.

Our hope is that we can continue to keep my mother here with us and with the help of these products it should be fairly easy.

Now we have to work on the memory issues as they too are becoming more frequent. But more on that at a later date.

For now this is me signing off and wishing every elder parent finds something here to help them live their best lives everyday!

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