"Her Smile was like armor & everyday she went to war ..." - r.h. Sin

And this makes me smile and I hope you do too

Chet Baker Quartet - Polka Dots and Moonbeams

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017)

The weekend at the cinemas had a dismal selection of movies to choose from. So hubby decided to book tickets for, drum rolls please, Guardians of the Galaxy - Volume 2. A fair warning to the male population of my readers that you may not like my version of the movie. In fact, I can guarantee you that. So here is the movie as seen from my eyes ...

Let's begin with the good. The 3D and special effects are awesome and the soundtracks beautiful. However, for me, it ends right there .... ✋. That was a short list eh 😕. As you're catapulted through the galaxies, there is an interesting parade of golden colored people, blue men and a green woman, a 'triangle faced monkey' and what not. However, I found baby Groot (a walking, talking, dancing sapling) cute. Let me correct that, Super cute. In a room full of testosterone, I was so lost. Guys somehow get the weird stuff unlike us romance seekers. But in all fairness the movie did have romance, mixed in with humor and topped with a generous dollop of sci-fi. 😂
I couldn't help my yawning which began quietly at first to only get progressively noisy (you would think I was sleep deprived). But I was wide awake munching caramel popcorn after the interval... Was that a ploy on hubby's behalf? Guess I'll never know. Towards the end of the movie, in the midst of all the tear shedding, I was scratching my head trying to figure out if I was meant to shed a tear or two myself.
A pat on my back for pulling on my game face and 'kind' of being on my best behavior, since hubby was so into his film. It was a little too much when after the movie I was asked if I was going to write about it.
Say what again 🙇 ... Really now??!!!🙅
Anyways, that's that on that ... Ta da ... 

Stolen moments

As you must already know, I am not a fan of the proverbial Indian SUMMER!!!

I am never without my trusted and 'ugly' Tweety fan

😭 I decided a haircut was the need of the hour. I promptly arrived at my hairdressers and waited patiently to be called while flipping through a magazine. To many of us, our hairdresser is a confidant and friend, someone who will listen, mostly impassively, as you download .... And as I waited I couldn't help but eavesdrop on a telephone conversation. Oops 😮 ... But in my defense, it was a little loud, on the other side i.e. After the conversation was over I snuck a glance and knew straight away that this time around I had to don the 'listener hat' for a change.
So the problem here was the lack of any personal space. My friend here had to be home on time and account for every minute spent. Oh God how I felt! My empathy stemmed from the fact that I grew up in a matriachal household - I rebelled in my own way and this was creating unhappiness deep within me. I longed for the freedom my friends took for granted, like catching​ a movie at will, going out shopping​ or for a meal, visiting friends.... all of this without being made to feel guilty. It's just emotionally exhausting and overwhelming. And in a marriage, a relationship that defines your future, this is unacceptable. Bottom line - it's the product of a deep-rooted insecurity, of an emotionally handicapped person and to me this person is nothing short of a bully. There is an inhererent need to control and trying to live life through those of others. This in my book, my friends, is unhealthy!!!!

One needs to understand and respect the fact that we all need our personal space and the excuses for this sickness may be varied but it boils down to a personal issue, and again, excuses notwithstanding.
I liken this situation to a bird trapped in a gilded cage, fluttering and just waiting to spread it's wings and soar into the blue skies .. to freedom.

I feel for my poor Tweety bird

I hope this is not the reason for a marriage to bite the dust, a relationship so sacred! I hope not ....

Thank you for listening/reading 🙏

And women will be women ... 👼

It's a hot Sunday morning and the dead of summer. Sunday is one day in the week that I refuse to do anything and I was getting a pedi done. Hubby was off running some errands and he comes back with the Sunday newspaper. The following was our conversation, not verbatim though.

Hubby - I bought the newspaper today and there is something here you would like.

Me - Okay. I will take a look at it later

A little later -

Hubby - Did you see the paper

Me - No.

Hubby - Quit whatever it is your doing and take a look

Me - Oh alright!

After a little silence =

Me - It's nice. I like it.

Hubby - I knew you would

Me - But how many are there

Hubby - How many what?

Me - Diamonds!!! 💎  DUH ...😑

Hubby - What diamonds?

Me - the Forevermark ad, right? 💍

Hubby - (in complete panic) NO! NO! I was talking about the write up! Not the ad.

Me - Oh! 😫 Or like Homer Simpson would say, "Doh"!

I can assure you that in the ensuing silence😣 you could hear the crickets, probably imaginary, but (just FYI) I've given my imagination free rein.

Now a question for my readers - ladies let's be honest here. Tell me what really caught your eye?

Heaven is for real (2014)

And yes that is the name of the movie starring Greg Kinnear.
Easter was great, the blessed season that symbolizes hope - an essential human lifeline.
A year has flown by and I'm missing a loved one. I seek a sign just to know all is well. Anything! I've had them before and they've always calmed my restless spirit. So here I was looking for them again.
And then last Sunday happened to be Divine Mercy Sunday. The sermon talked about doubt and the infamous "Doubting Thomas". And that, my friends, is my middle name. My mind is riddled with doubts that creep in at the most inopportune time to only take residence refusing to leave. And once again my faith, like every other mortal, wavers. I tell myself "Woe me of weak faith", here is a glimpse of my love for Shakespeare. Anyway, imagine my surprise when I watched 'Heaven is for real'. Here were the messages subtly coming my way and it was up to me to read them. Do I believe in Signs? After this, I most definitely do.
Now a little about the movie -

Todd is a man who wears many hats! He is a pastor, voluntary fireman, handyman and coach who lives with his beautiful family in Imperial, Nebraska. A gifted preacher, he has drawn the masses and the parish has only grown. However, Todd's faith is put to the test when his 4 year old son, Colton, has to be rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery. All prayers are answered and Colton is back home. But something has changed! Colton is talking of singing angels, rainbow colored horses, of seeing Jesus and even sitting on his lap. He talks of seeing his great-grandfather and even his late, unborn sister who he knew nothing about. The whole town is laughing at the family, the kids in school resort to bullying and there is a dip in the footfalls at the parish. It's now up to Todd to wholly believe and be convinced in what Colton has experienced to then be a convincing preacher.
Such an incredibly beautiful movie based on true events.
I feel blessed 😇 and continue to pray and hope that all is well on the other side.

As I journey on ... 🚗

And when the road goes on and on ...

We follow the red bus ...

And I do stop to forage for fresh, juicy cashew fruit

And take in the scenery

While breathing in some fresh mountain air

And after a good 9 hours on the road, cold beer, jackfruit chips and a classic on the telly. Bliss!

On the sands ... 👒

The setting sun as it bids adieu for the day. 

Something we all like to .... Playing in the sand ..😊

As the footprints are washed away by  moving waters, here is a poem that comes to mind ~

So until the next time ...