More Things In Heaven and Earth, a novel by Jeff High

First in a new series ----- Watervalley. If you enjoyed Jan Karon's Mitford series, Philip Gulley's Harmony series or Patrick Taylor's Irish Country series, you probably will enjoy this new series.

Luke Bradford is just out of medical school, totally up to his "eyeballs" in debt with student loans, and to help pay off the loans, he accepts the position in Watervalley, Tennessee. Luke's medical heart really yearns to do medical research, however, he also made a promise years earlier to practice in a small town.

On the way down the mountain road, he does something foolish, little does he know that practically the entire population of Watervalley is waiting for his arrival ---- with egg on his face (well, it is really beer on his trousers) he must face all these folks when he exits his beat up automobile. Several disasters occur causing him to wonder, if indeed he is really up to the task of taking on the Watervalley and its needs.

There are some REALLY funny scenes, some heartbreaking scenes, and just a bit of history with the Spanish Flu of 1916 thrown in.

Quote of the Day----Goodreads

They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.
Tom Bodett
Happy 59th birthday, Tom Bodett! Though he's best known for his role as the Motel 6 spokesman—Bodett's been doing commercials for the budget hotel chain since 1986—he's also a novelist and essayist.


He is also a frequent panelist on NPR's "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" - his humor is dry, yet highly intelligent. 

Fly Girls, PBS American Experience program

We watched this very interesting film, ties in with the recent book I posted on my blog - Fanny Flagg's new book.
This documentary certainly backed up everything that Fanny had written about in her book.
My husband and I thought that these highly dedicated women showed great determination in helping with the war effort during WWII.  It is a great shame that it took so many years for these women to receive the credit they so deserved.
Hope you will give it a try.

The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

Imagine one day waking up thinking you are who you seem to be, that you are 60 years old, that your mom is your mom, that you have a really WOW family background, and then with just the answering of the phone, and then opening a registered letter, YOUR whole life changes.  You are NOT who you were 60 seconds ago, you are not 60 years old, why the day you have always celebrated your birthday isn't your real birthday, and throw out the family tree you thought you were descended from.

This is what happens to Sookie, of Point Clear, Alabama.
So begins a journey of who Sookie really is, and the family she really came from - not even from Alabama, if you can believe that.

WASPS were a group of women that flew planes from one place to another during WWII, the historic value of this story is TRUE and highly interesting.

Fanny, you did a GREAT job with this one, I couldn't put it down, and when the story was over, I wanted to start it again.  Thanks!


Oh, I loved this book!  Hope you will give it a try.

PS.  PBS program American Experience has a DVD out entitled  "Fly Girls" just about the WASPS history.

Monsieur Lazhar, a French-Canadian film

A French-Canadian film, set in a Montreal middle school.
Opening scenes include a quick glimpse of a teacher who has commit suicide in her classroom.  This sets the tone for the rest of the film.

Monsieur Lazhar, has applied for refugee status in Canada, although the immigration department is not entirely sure he should be granted this status.

Monsieur Lazhar, has applied and been hired to become the substitute teacher to the class who lost their teacher.  This is an interesting mix, as he really is not a teacher, but has high ideals of what should be taught in the classroom.

The young actors in this film are incredible, the story is highly moving, albeit not light and fuzzy due to the subject of death, and the reason why Monsieur Lazhar has left Algeria.

This is a movie well worth watching.
Enjoy!

Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champions

Hey, all you East Coast Media folks.  Did you notice the 12th Man NOISE in the stadium?  Did you notice 12 seconds into the game, a safety?  Did you notice 12 seconds into the third quarter an 87 yard run for a touchdown?  The 12th MAN was there!
 
You really thought the Broncos would win over our BIG DEFENSE?

Go Seahawks.

Great WIN!

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

Reading was my escape and my comfort, my consolation, my stimulant of choice: reading for the pure pleasure of it, for the beautiful stillness that surrounds you when you hear an author's words reverberating in your head.
Paul Auster
Happy 67th birthday, Paul Auster! As a novelist, he is preoccupied with the concept of chance. At 14, Auster was standing next to a friend who was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning.


Read a book.