Christmas Favorites -- While You Were Sleeping

Two versions of a favorite Christmas song. But it's a bit bigger than Christmas. Casting Crowns' While You Were Sleeping.

The top version is just the song. The bottom version is the same song but with visuals, some from The Passion of the Christ.

Super Cinema Saturday ~ Hancock

My Review of Hancock: Viewer warning -- Language, violence, alcohol use. Complete bad boy behavior earning a PG-13 rating.
(There is an unrated version which I'm sure is even more over the top.) But...keep reading for my review.


I knew nothing about the storyline in Hancock other than he was a superhero with a seriously bad attitude. I rented it just because we are compelled to watch all the superhero movies.

What I knew was definitely true. Everyone hates him. His first heroic act in the movie began with a little boy shaking him out of his drunken stupor. He then flew off and created millions of dollars in damage.

In spite of the cursing, which there is quite a bit, and a few scenes of unpleasant violence, and lots of drinking, this movie delivers a great couple of messages. Hancock lets an image consultant help him through the steps of becoming a better superhero and in the process a better man. Ray, Justin Bateman, is a terrific father/family man and friend to Hancock. There are scenes that are downright touching.

A plot twist completely caught me by surprise. (I could've read the box and not been completely surprised, though.)

Hancock is one of the more entertaining and creative superhero movies I've seen. We will be purchasing it for our family DVD library.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Dark Pursuit ~ B. Collins

Go here to read the first chapter.












Dark Pursuit—A twisting story of murder, betrayal, and eternal choices

Novelist Darell Brooke lived for his title as King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Two years later, reclusive and bitter, he wants one thing: to plot a new novel and regain his reputation.

Kaitlan Sering, his twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, once lived for drugs. After she stole from Darell, he cut her off. Now she’s rebuilding her life. But in Kaitlan’s town two women have been murdered, and she’s about to discover a third. She’s even more shocked to realize the culprit—her boyfriend, Craig, the police chief’s son.

Desperate, Kaitlan flees to her estranged grandfather. For over forty years, Darell Brooke has lived suspense. Surely he’ll devise a plan to trap the cunning Craig.

But can Darell’s muddled mind do it? And—if he tries—with what motivation? For Kaitlan’s plight may be the stunning answer to the elusive plot he seeks...

My Review:



Brandilyn Collins continues to produce multi-dimensional characters and some seriously amped up plots. Every one of her books ends up being my newest favorite Collin's title. Dark Pursuit is no exception.

Her protagonist is a broken man with a broken brain. His granddaughter desperately needs his help. But will he stay awake long enough, will he stay coherent enough to help save her life, or will he hasten her death?

Enough twists and turns will keep readers flipping pages late into the night. Sympathetic characters pull at reader emotions. Fear and horror will keep the Big Honken Chickens's feathers ruffled. Murder, mystery, intertwining stories, power, control and the unknown -- sound intriguing? Oh yeah. Great read from a masterful story teller.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

There are only so many favorites I can have? Right? We'll see. Let me share a few of my all-time favorite Christmas things/stuff over the next few weeks.

Today I spotlight A Christmas Story. Who can resist Ralphie as a deranged Easter Bunny? Or a Triple Dog Dare?

One of my favorite lines?

"Randy lay there like a slug. It was his only defense." Yes! You'd be surprised (or annoyed) at how often I can use that line in my day to day conversations.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Robin Jones Gunn

Hey Dreggers...

Robin Jones Gunn dropped by to visit for a spell. It's been awhile since I posted an interview. So enjoy.


Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?

[Robin Gunn] I’d like to be Ransom from C.S. Lewis’ “Perelandra” because Ransom is transported to Venus and observes another sort of Adam and Eve before their fall. He tastes food not grown on Earth and rides dolphins. He is a character that has stayed in my imagination for decades.


Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.

[Robin Gunn] I rise early in the morning when I’m on a tight deadline. Usually 3am. I make a pot of tea in my favorite china tea pot, put on soft music, light a vanilla scented candle, pray and start writing. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years. Not every day, of course, but sometimes 3 or 4 days a week just so I can write unhindered and uninterrupted.


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

[Robin Gunn] I love “As You Wish” from Princess Bride. I even titled one of the Christy and Todd the College Years books, “As You Wish”. For me, the phrase is how I often end my prayers – “as You wish, God, not as I wish”. Isn’t that how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer with the line, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”. Also, when Jesus prayed before the crucifixion that “this cup could pass from him” He said, “Not my will but Yours be done”. I think the act of such surrender is critical to ever entering into a true and deep and lasting relationship with our Father God.


What period of history intrigues you the most?

[Robin Gunn] Mid 1800’s, specifically 1840’s to 1860’s.


What makes you feel alive?

[Robin Gunn] First Light on the island of Maui. I’ll attach of photo I took a few weeks ago while our family was camping on Maui. I unzipped the front of the tent just before dawn and quickly crawled out to snap this photo. Then we hiked down the trail and swam in the pools beneath the waterfalls.


Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.

[Robin Gunn] My husband. Always love having him near.


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.

[Robin Gunn] Anywhere, anytime. As St. Augustine said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” I want to read it all!


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

[Robin Gunn] Exactly what I’m doing. I had a number of serious health problems a few years ago and that caused me to start living each day as if it were my last.

Thanks, Robin.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Monday in December Scenes from the Ranch

Meet Hal.

Actually, I don't know what his name is, I just know where he lives.

I guess in honor of Whitetail Deer Season and for want of any other reason to post a deer head on my blog, here he is.

Hal watches over me as I sleep.
He used to wear many ties, but now just leans against the wall.

Squeamish readers should be thrilled that I didn't post the actual movie footage I took of Hal. Didn't know the camera setting was awry. Trust me, the shuddering deer in the flickering light accompanied by the sound of breathing and the pitter patter of dog paws could've shown up in your nightmares.


The last gasp of fall foliage coated in winter's icy grasp.



And if you've followed my E-Bay comforter obsession you may recognize my prize. Yes, the set looks even better than I'd hoped on my very own bed.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Notes from a Stuffed Turkey

Hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous.

After an overload of turkey and all the trimmings at two different dinners, a quick 5:30 a.m. jaunt to the mall, and the out-with-the-Thanksgiving theme and furniture arrangement, I'm ready to face Christmas.

Thanksgiving high-points....

Lily and Lola didn't bust through the door barriers and snoodle all the guests.

The turkey, only the second one I've ever cooked, was delicious.

We have an abundance of cute babies in the family. It amazes me how many new and improved baby things there are out there. Sheesh. It's a wonder any of us ever survived and thrived without all the gadgets and gizmos.

Conversation was rich with sarcasm and snap and there was some depth of spirituality that has been missing in the past. One of my nephews has recently accepted Christ and I can't tell you what a blessing it is to watch him bloom right before my eyes. Lesson within, never, never, never give up on someone, think you can read them, or second guess God. He uses some amazing skills to capture peoples' hearts. This young man was always quiet and usually sat outside of the inner circle. All of a sudden, he's sharing truth and excitement over the things of God. He was just baptized last week and I cried as he shared his testimony in front of the church. I had no clue that he was even interested in God. Like I said, what a blessing!

Scott, the Settlers of Catan master still sits on his throne. Three more wins under his belt. Sigh. Which makes me a three-time loser, again!

All said, I am so grateful for my family and my God who never ceases to amaze and humble me. Thank you, Lord.

Now. I'm going to go put my absolutely bee-yo-ti-ful new comforter on my bed. Just arrived and it's way nicer than I expected.

Happy weekend. Here's hoping it's restful, blessed and full of all those leftover Turkey Day treats.