Super Cinema Saturday ~ Young at Heart

It's been awhile since I reviewed a movie. But here's one, after this little announcement, Happy Birthday 22! I'm off to a mall shopping marathon to celebrate.


My Review:


A documentary with so much heart I'm pretty sure it would be impossible to watch without a few moments of blinking back tears. A performing ensemble made up of those in their very golden years, has set out to throw themselves into music and into the entertainment business with a sweet twist and unique takes on a quirky array of songs. Stand out numbers were Sonic Youth's Schizophrenic and James Brown's I Feel Good. The performance of Cold Play's Fix You just about undid me.

There are hilarious moments like a car trip with an 86-year-old at the wheel. Touching moments including a song dedication that didn't leave a dry eye in my house, or the sell out audience for that matter. And in between were the moments that brought life and death to the surface. Those moments shared with dignity and honesty.

Other than a smattering of off-color/suggestive comments (PG rated), Young at Heart is great family viewing.

As with all documentaries, the winding stories and details of life may bore children. If you hate documentaries you might not be won over to the genre by Young at Heart, but you'll also be missing a fascinating and encouraging slice of life if you skip it.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Hometown Favorite

Whew. I power read this book for the book tour this week and just finished it.

Football fan? Looking for edgy? Read the first chapter here.



Click on the cover to find out more info, or check out the author's website.

My review:


I wouldn't have chosen this book to read for pure entertainment. My major reason is football. I'm not only not a fan, I don't get the game. I also do not care for omniscient point of view. The authors vocabularies and talent resulted in some overwriting as well. That said, I was won over by the story.

Though I skimmed football details fairly often, football non-fans can find something to enjoy in this story. I'm not going to give away many details since they would be spoilers. I will recommend this novel to folks who wouldn't have issues like mine as stated above, and who are looking for edgy Christian fiction. There are usages of slang and a smattering of curse words in this novel. Heavy subjects like child endangerment, violence, sexuality,drinking and drug use give the book a solid PG to PG-13 rating depending on your sensitivity.

The authors paint a picture of grace and hope. Despair pops up, forgiveness and restoration are covered. It's not a light read, but it could be just the ticket for some folks. Those who are fans of Creston Mapes novels may want to check out Hometown Favorite.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Paws Again.

Since I've started on a theme of pets and their spiritual personality, I can't leave out Freckles.

Sigh. Poor Freckles. She has succumbed to the great spiritual enemy of fear.

Freckles used to be bold. She used to rule the house. In fact, Freckles was at one point a bully in all her boldness. She weathered a 130 pound canine and took all he handed out and gave it back. She did develop a series of bladder infections because her litter box sat near his kennel, but that's beside the point. Who knew!?!

Freckles undoing is Feral. He has shaken her confidence and rocked her world. I've encouraged her, we've restricted his access to her, we've given her peptalks to no avail.

Until Freckles realizes Feral is just a little bitty kitty, she's going to be conquered over and over again.

Hmmm. Who or what is crushing your inner Freckles? Rah. Rah. Go, Freckles, go.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ A Paws for Part Two

Spirituality through the eyes of Feral Will.

If Lily is Pentecostal and Lola one of the frozen chosen, Feral is critter who serves himself. God is not on Feral's throne and if He is, Feral is sitting on His lap and demanding He do as commanded.

In spite of the dog cat difference toward worship and loyalty, I think it's pretty amazing that thousands of years after the creation of the first animal, that they continue to do what God programmed them to do. Creation does point to an Almighty Creator God. From the songs of a hundred types of birds to the flashes of color of feather, flora and fur, God's creativity reaches out to each of us.

But back to my furry friends. Feral is the most self-sufficient one in the household. The girls and skittish Freckles need, oh they need. Feral's only lack is his inability to pour his own food into his bowl. Occasionally he likes a soft, warm body to sleep on, but really, that is negotiable.

To dig for the positives, I do have to say that when I open the door to the room where his food is stored, he is always alert and present before both bowls are filled. I wish I was that sensitive to God's work and His blessing in my life. I tend to get so distracted that I forget to look for Him in the details. And I guess that Feral's food dance could be praise for provision.

Maybe he's not so unaware as I think. I guess there is something I can learn about Feral and his response to God's provision.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ A Paws for a Lesson

While reading my Bible today, I had the special privilege of having a bit of a lesson mauled into my very soul. ( I'm currently trying to type very, very quietly because the maulers are laying on the floor, dozing in the sun. Should they awaken, who knows what will appear in this post.It takes a lot of energy to lick all exposed skin from an entire human being. Especially if you have to bite and wrestle with your sister while doing so. Oh, and sniff the cats while playing keep-away-from-the-claws.)

It occurred to me when I pushed a furry muzzle out of my biznes only to have another insert itself, that maybe, I should look at the enthusiasm of our resident canines as a model for my spiritual walk.

Lily will chase down a blessing. The girl is pure Pentecostal. I'm a little jealous. I tend to be a little more like Lola who could be considered a frozen chosen. But Lily, if she was in a church wherein she could wear diaphanous dresses and waltz through the sanctuary while laying-on-of-hands and singing praises at full volume, she would, without hesitation. She would wrestle with God until He gave her a blessing or a biscuit. Unfortunately, Lily does kind of think grace is cheap. She uses it all up and counts on the promise of God's mercies being new every morning.

Lily also needs loads of concrete reinforcements, i.e. "Go pee-pee and get the treat. Look Lily, smell it, yummy treat, now go pee-pee. Just go pee-pee. Nope, not enough, go again. Good Girl!!!! Yay!!!!"

Lola, though a little more reserved does have a servant's heart. She is very content to stand back and let Lily bask in all the attention. She also is more inclined to obey just out of loyalty and love.

I'd like to be a spiritual blend of both. A Lola with a greater sense of abandon and the heart deep knowledge that God does want to bless me and it's okay to ask.

Tomorrow, Feral's spiritual condition. (Beyond the name, that is.)

Serials and Scenarios ~ Siri Mitchell's A Constant Heart

Siri Mitchell has visited the Dregs before. Scroll down to peruse her answers and my review of Cubicle.

And, if you think you might like A Constant Heart, click on the book cover, here to visit Siri's website and here to read the first chapter.

Now, my review.

I am not a die hard fan of romance. Usually, they make me laugh because of the ubergooey sweetness and contrived plot points. I won't read them as a rule, and if I attempt one and see the words heaving and bosom on the same page, I'm done. Historicals are usually a safer bet for me, but sometimes I find myself nodding off and needing a strong whiff of smelling salts to continue.

I was a little apprehensive about A Constant Heart. If I mention I tend to be slightly ignorant of general history, you might not be surprised based on my previous paragraph. But, I took a chance on A Constant Heart because I loved The Cubicle Next Door. And I am a fan of All the Tea in China. If Siri Mitchell, who wrote a favorite novel attempted a historical, wouldn't it be a lot like All the Tea in China, another favorite novel?

Yep. Score. So imagine my surprise after reading a negative review at Amazon. The reviewer didn't care for A Constant Heart. I loved it.

Fascinating facts about a volatile time and a costly career intruigued me and made me want to look deeper into the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The story of the marriage and eventual love affair between the Earl and Countess was deeply melancholy and sweet. One scene in which the couple has a conversation with a salad and no words made me laugh out loud. The consequences and obstacles that the Lady and Earl faced while courtiers, to a queen who would be the very sun, were page turners. The writing leans literary, poignant in several scenes.

Told in alternating first person POV with the voice of Lytham and Marget, this is a very satisfying novel on many levels. If you would be unsettled by a unique POV switch, or with melancholy at the loss of life, fortune, and/or love, you may struggle with the story. A touch of violence in the age of quarterings and the Tower of London, and promiscuity in the court are elements that make A Constant Heart lean toward PG-13. Christian Fiction fans may find a lack of deep spiritual truths as well. But, if you love Mitchell, or if the era fascinates you you probably need to take the plunge.

Serials and Scenarios ~ This IS About Michelle Sutton

Page down if you missed the review and details of Michelle's book It's Not About Me. Thanks, Michelle.

Now without further ado. Here's Michelle vs. the Dregs.

If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?

I’d ask my mom what it’s really like in heaven since she is there right now enjoying the glory.


If you could change something in any novel, what would you change about it and why?

In the case of It’s Not About Me, I’d make sure the right PDF file copy was printed. There was a tragic mistake made and the copy sent to the printer was not the typo-free final final version, so if you find a few typos know that the copy printed was not the final one. But it’s too expensive to fix at this point. Most people don’t notice more than one or two, if any, thank the Lord.


Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.

How about I share a favorite phrase from INAM. Tony is hurling in the porcelain bowl and just told his brother he drank a pint of Southern Comfort. His brother, Dan, after asking him if he was trying to kill himself says, “Well, if puking your brains out is the comfort alcohol brings, I don’t see why you keep going back for more.” To which Tony replies, “Shut up!”


What period of history intrigues you the most?

I love WWII history. I find the whole Nazi oppression thing fascinating. How the world could turn a blind eye to such obvious evil and allow millions of people to be murdered under the regime of a madman.


What would you write if there were no rules or barriers? (epic novels about characters in the Bible, poetry, greeting cards, plays, movies, instruction manuals, etc.)

I love writing romantic women’s fiction. It’s my favorite genre.


How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?

Usually through deep emotion or incredible insight. Tosca Lee’s book Demon is a great example. I had so many “aha” moments I lost count. That is a brilliantly written novel.


Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.

I’d love to travel to Europe and see where so much history has taken place. I’d also love to go to an exotic island and just enjoy the ocean, but not by diving in it. That gives me the willies.


Favorite season and why?

Probably the fall. It’s just all around nice weather and the leaves turning is always pretty to look at.


Favorite book setting and why?

I’d have to say knights and castles. I enjoy going back in time in my mind.


Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?

When it comes to this story (INAM) I love how almost everyone has said they couldn’t stop reading it. That means it was compelling enough to set everything else aside and focus on where my story took them. Plus, I love it when they say a scene made them cry. It means the story touched their heart.


What criticism has cut the deepest and why?

I tend to forget the bad. Usually what I’ll hear is that it was too edgy for them. But that’s rare, actually.


What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?

I wouldn’t be answering interview questions. I’d have to think on that one.


What word annoys you more than any other?

Can’t stand the word preachy. Ick.


Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?

The ability to eat and not gain weight. Is that a super power? If not, I want it.


Favorite chore

It wouldn’t be called a chore if I liked it.


Societal pet peeve…sound off.

People who are so insecure that they have to brag about themselves all the time and put others down.


CREATIVE CORNER: Pick any of the following and have fun with it.

Pick a Genre - Describe a kiss….

Has to be yummy. There are a million ways to write one. My favorite is when there is such a pull that they finally give in to it.  I love the kiss in the movie Bourne Identity. He just gets done washing, coloring and cutting her hair. He is trying to stay focused, but then after succumbing to the beckoning in her eyes, he drops the towel and dives on her lips to full abandon. Ahhhh…


A man and woman sit at a table in an upscale restaurant. They each have a cell phone to their ear. What are you overhearing? Tell me about this couple…..

They are both employed with high profile companies in New York City and even though it’s their anniversary, they are letting business cut into their pleasure. They agree to take the calls because they are both hopelessly addicted to work and feeling valued outside of the home. The sad thing is, they both understand that about each other so they let it continue to pull them apart.


Pick a "story starter" below and give us a sample of your voice.



A crack broke the stillness as Terry tugged on the frozen door.

Terry cringed. She’d tried so hard to not make a sound, even tiptoeing into the room barefoot just to make sure the floor wouldn’t squeak under the soles of her slippers. All she wanted was to snag the last of the chunky monkey ice cream without getting caught by her roommate. But there was no way that Jane could miss the sound of the suction breaking on the freezer door. It was louder than ripping open the Velcro flap of her lunch box, and Terry had busted her then, too. Ugh. Why had she agreed to that stupid diet challenge anyway? So what if she had aches and pains from carrying around extra weight?

Closing her eyes, she sighed and closed the door. She needed to lose weight and cheating in the middle of the night was not what she wanted for her life, nor was sneaking around. Why did it have to be so hard? She sat at the kitchen table, covered her face with her hands, and wept.


Lauren stared at the clock. Eleven forty-five, if only it read ten forty-five. Everyone should be allowed one do-over hour in life.

Everyone but her.

She glanced at the man in the bed beside her. She didn’t even know his name. How had her life gotten so out of control, so pathetic that she’d take anyone who came on to her home to her bed? Nausea crept up her throat like reflux and she reached for the pills on her night stand. Half a bottle of beer—though warm—stood beside it. She could down every last pill in the container and be dead before he woke up. But when he found her that way, would he even care? And if not, would it be worth doing?

With those thoughts on her mind, she released the bottle and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning she found a hundred dollar bill on the pillow beside her. She winced. Somewhere between the ages of 25 and 30, she’d become her mother.



I'm not so interested in boxers or briefs. I'm just looking for a good man to fill them. Heck, I find a good man and he can wear banana peels as far as I'm concerned.

As I flipped through the clothing on the clearance rack, little fingers tugged on my skirt. “Mom, I need to go potty.”

Glancing down, I noticed my son half-dancing and squirming with his legs pressed together. What an adorable sight. So rather than making the poor child wait while I perused more undergarments, I ditched my search for a gag gift for my brother’s wedding.

A sigh escaped my lips as I clutched my little boy’s hand and walked toward the rest rooms. At least Joe had a wedding coming up. I had no prospects in sight.