tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33148109859835376482024-03-13T15:37:55.616-07:00Az. BuddyMaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.comBlogger602125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-24112752278983651532013-02-22T15:39:00.002-08:002013-02-22T15:39:20.490-08:00Historical Fiction ---?? What is it?Historical Fiction is popular both in novels and in movies. This year we have such films nominated for<br />
Academy Awards in several categories including Best Picture. Zero Dark Thirty is up for best Orignial Screen Play and Lincoln and Argo up for best Adapted Screen Play.<br />
We all approach Historical Fiction in different ways. The gullible believe it all. The sceptical believe very little.<br />
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My approach is to look at the Director and/or writer and see if I trust their research and how they have merged journalism and storytelling. Needless to say, if it is going to be a good and particularly a great film it has to have a good story that is told dramatically.MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-19484909137654026882013-02-03T09:49:00.001-08:002013-02-03T09:59:40.695-08:00Waiting.....for the Operating Room.Waiting since Dec. 26 for my hip replacement. Should have had it a year ago. Lots of snow birds come to Az. for their hips and knee. Why not? They can recover in the sun shine. No fear of slipping on ice or having to get those snow boots on. Lots of physical therapist. Lots of pools for water walking. However it does make our Doctor appointments full and O.R. time more scarce. If anyone reading this is even thinking of having hip or knee surgery do it now. The pain only gets worse.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KN1T9yVkJB8/UQ6inA_37BI/AAAAAAAAGEI/8kH41xpJIgk/s1600/waiting+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KN1T9yVkJB8/UQ6inA_37BI/AAAAAAAAGEI/8kH41xpJIgk/s320/waiting+room.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am reminded of a poem I wrote last year while waiting late in the day to talk with the surgeon after a loved ones surgery.<br />
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<br />
The Waiting Room<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">families</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">a real intergenerational room</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">teens text</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">babies whimper</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">grandmas sit and stare</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">inter-racial too</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">all colors of skin</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">from pale to dark brown to black</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">some leave</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">some come back</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">some leave again</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">But I stay</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">times passes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">sent to another waiting room</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">cold</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">late</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">people in scrubs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">walk in</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">walk out</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">walk in again</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">take people away</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I wait...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">the last one</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">the day is long</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">but the news is good</span><br />
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MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-46891187691650618822013-01-29T13:18:00.001-08:002013-01-29T13:18:49.215-08:00My take on the OscarsI have seen 8 of the 9 nominees for Best Picture. I have not see "Amour" yet. I believe that it is due to come to the Loft on Feb. 8th. I am not so sure I want to spend 2+ hours watching an old woman die and and old man watching her die.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBrdL-y1abk/UQg7ZMN3luI/AAAAAAAAGC0/DSICefOykb4/s1600/thumbs_django-unchained-poster-argentina.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBrdL-y1abk/UQg7ZMN3luI/AAAAAAAAGC0/DSICefOykb4/s1600/thumbs_django-unchained-poster-argentina.png" /></a>Here is my line up based on how I enjoyed the films; not necessarily judging any as best.<br />
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#1 -<u> Life of Pi </u>- Did not like the book. Loved the movie. Liked the look of it and the philosophy.<br />
#2 -<u> Django Unchained </u>- A Hoot. I laughed and groaned at the black humor. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid meet Roots meet Dowton Abby. But one has to be a fan of Tarantino. And I am.<br />
I like Christof Waltz for Best Supporting actor although he has some strong competitors in Arkin and De Niro.<br />
#3 <u>Argo </u>- Ben Affleck should have been nominated for best Director of the suspenseful drama of a true event -the 1980 rescue of embassy workers in Iran. A very good movie.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VK_1qCIq-S8/UQg7Zhw-P_I/AAAAAAAAGC8/YZTIqs1kfPs/s1600/life-of-pi-poster09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VK_1qCIq-S8/UQg7Zhw-P_I/AAAAAAAAGC8/YZTIqs1kfPs/s320/life-of-pi-poster09.jpg" width="216" /></a>#4 <u>Lincoln </u>is sure get a lot of votes. To me it was long and not terribly moving. Good historical portrayal of the bill to end slavery. Acting was excellent and I would like to see Sally Field get best supporting actress and Daniel Day-Lewis for best actor.<br />
#5 <u>Les Miserables</u> - The film production of the successful stage play worked for me although not for most of my friends. I thought the acting was good and the voices OK. The overall look could get the Oscar for Production Design IMO.<br />
#6 Jessica Chastain should get the best actress award for basically carrying <u>Zero Dark Thirty </u>- the story of one womans 12 year hunt for Osama Binladen. Good movie but the torture was 'too much information' for me .<br />
#7.<u> Silver Lining Playbook</u> is hard to categorize. Many critics as well as the public loved this movie but I had a hard time seeing it as a romantic comedy because of the very serious topic of mental illness. More of a drama. I can see both leads getting Oscar nods as well as the supporting actors. But not great IMO.<br />
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#8 <u>Beasts of the Southern Wild</u> was confusing to me. We walked out of the the theater saying "What the What did we just see. The story of a Dad and his percocious daughter living in unbelievable poverty in the 'bathtub' of the swamps in the deltas of Lousianna.MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-10273921768171458772013-01-26T11:35:00.001-08:002013-01-26T11:35:26.459-08:00Blessing of the Bikes and Bikers This event was held at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Az. Jan. 29 2013<br />
Initially the idea sort of turned me off. Blessing of the animals and even of new homes seemed somewhat in order -but bikes? However on hearing the words of thanks and praise and wishes for safety and good will to all encountered on the highways, I had a change of heart.<br />
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-2408463978271384272013-01-20T08:20:00.001-08:002013-01-20T13:05:49.025-08:00A Contrast in EntertainmentExperienced two very different kinds of entertainment today -both very enjoyable.<br />
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In the late morning I went to my local cinema for the showing of the Metropolitan <i>live in HD </i>performance of <u>Maria Stuarda.</u> This is the story of the conflict between cousins Mary Stuart - Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England in the late 16th century. Mary was Catholic and Elizabeth was Protestant. Both loved the Earl of Leichester. Both had their defenders; Cecil for Elizabeth and Talbot for Mary. The main characters were sung to perfection by Elza van den Heever as Elizabeth and Joyce DiDonado. The men were excellent as well. Elizabeth does execute Mary. But in history, it is Mary that wins out. It is her son James that becomes King of both Scotland and England as well as Ireland following the death of Elizabeth and reigns for 20 years.The Met has brought the opera to everyone. I highly recommend these performances. Check your local cinemas. And check out the Met on the web: metopera.org<br />
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In the late afternoon I watched the Oscar nominated animation movie <u>Frankenweenie.</u> In this stop action animation Tim Burton returns to what he does best. This is a far out weird and exaggerated animation and story. After his beloved dog Sparky dies chasing a ball into the street Victor gets the idea to bring him back to life after seeing his science teacher - a Vincent Price look a like -demonstrate firing electricity into a frog leg. Coincidentally the students are competing for a science project. Victor succeeds in bringing Sparky back to life just like Frankenstein did with the monster. Soon all the other students are bringing back dead animals and chaos ensues. Filmed in black and white with the look of horror movies of an earlier time. Loved it and laughed out loud. Buddy, however did not.<br />
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-33832154965908681212013-01-06T13:31:00.001-08:002013-01-06T13:31:07.560-08:00The Metropolitan Opera HD Cinema <u>The Met: Live in HD series</u> has brought the opera up "close and personal" to seasoned opera lovers and to some of us who have seen very few if any operas before this opportunity.<br />
My friend and I have become quite addicted to this Saturday Matinee opportunity to enjoy the splendor of the Metropolitan Opera.<br />
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Yesterday we saw <i>Les Troyens</i> by Hector Berlioz. I was familiar with Berlioz's orchestral music but not opera. This is a long opera -5 and 1/2 hours and is not performed often because there are few Opera<br />
Houses that can stage such grand sets and large number of chorus members and dancers.<br />
There are numerous lengthy orchestral pieces without voice that were performed by dance and ballet.<br />
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The story of the Trojan Horse is familiar to many. I first read it in Latin too many years ago to mention.<br />
It is a story of waring nations, gods and love and death. Frequent themes of many operas.<br />
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The orchestra conducted by Fabio Luis, chorus and choreography of dance accompanied the great voices of Deborah Voight as Cassandra, Susan Graham as Dido and Bryan, a new young tenor from New Orleans, as Aeneas..<br />
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I strongly recommend you check out metopera.org and find the cinema in your city that show these Live in HD performances,<br />
<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-31665468429906367792012-12-31T15:05:00.000-08:002012-12-31T15:05:00.555-08:00Christmas Trees of La Posada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fouoGwKPFA0/UOIZsoU_OyI/AAAAAAAAF7k/DmuyI0FrBvw/s1600/IMG_4863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fouoGwKPFA0/UOIZsoU_OyI/AAAAAAAAF7k/DmuyI0FrBvw/s320/IMG_4863.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MdoelwVx9A/UOIZrF0u_QI/AAAAAAAAF7c/Z_8cyv1IoIU/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MdoelwVx9A/UOIZrF0u_QI/AAAAAAAAF7c/Z_8cyv1IoIU/s320/IMG_4859.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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There is said to be 49 Christmas Tree in the buildings of the La Posada Campus. Here is a sample.MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-29191242597020655182012-12-23T10:43:00.002-08:002012-12-23T10:43:22.110-08:00A Day of photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Late December barrel cactus bloom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The cat in the apartment across from us enjoys the sun.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bell ringing in front of Safeway</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A "service dog" (?) leaving Safeway</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My bell's clapper. A nutty clapper?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Santa waiting for good little dogs to receive their toys </span></td></tr>
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-81174328405646124862012-12-22T12:01:00.003-08:002012-12-22T12:01:52.557-08:00Christmas Lights in Continental<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lights on the little street off of White House Canyon.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YA7BKshglqw/UNYQ4cLe5tI/AAAAAAAAF3g/RmJtfimy-Lo/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YA7BKshglqw/UNYQ4cLe5tI/AAAAAAAAF3g/RmJtfimy-Lo/s320/IMG_4889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-61250143101240425912012-12-18T19:19:00.001-08:002012-12-18T19:32:52.439-08:00My experience as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I spent 2 hours ringing a bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle street campaign. The Red Kettles Christmas program began in 1891 in San Francisco when Capt. Joseph McFee who was trying to raise funds for a charity Christmas dinner. He recalled a red kettle that he had seen in Liverpool, England.<br />
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This certainly is an easy task for one only has to take 2 hrs out of the busy Christmas season. Fortunately in a week where Southern Az. has had some cooler and rainier weather, I had a pleasant sunny afternoon. Standing outside of Walmart had its conflicting feelings. Especially since I have mixed feeling about Walmart particularly since this morning the New York Times had an article on the corruption of Walmart in Mexico as it tries to avoid local labor laws. Watching flat screen TV's and all sorts of non essential Christmas gifts being wheeled past me and knowing the World's suffering, was confusing to say the least. But that is what Christmas is all about today.<br />
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But it was mainly a cheerful experience.<br />
What I learned.<br />
- Kids like to put money, especially coins in the kettle. Particularly curious was a little red haired <br />
boys who looked at the coins in his had and walked right by.<br />
- The Salvation Army is highly respected in the community. One War Vet talked about the SA<br />
providing coffee when he was near the front line. Many people simply thanked me for being a bell <br />
ringer.<br />
- a man that puts his hand over his back pocket wallet isn't necessary preparing to give.<br />
- if one person gives, it is more likely that others will.<br />
- Head down eyes on the side walk "if I don't see her maybe she won't see me".<br />
- "Hello, Merry Christmas" and walk by usually tells me that have given generously before.<br />
-someone you know doesn't mean a donation.<br />
- someone from my church didn't mean a donation.<br />
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Also: It is very difficult to play Christmas songs on a single Salvation Army bell.<br />
"Frosty the Snowman" works the best.<br />
"Alexander's Rag TIme Band" is doable.<br />
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-77955527873789992142012-12-17T18:27:00.001-08:002012-12-17T18:29:20.651-08:00Scrooge at the Gaslight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An afternoon at the Gaslight Theater.<br />
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Lunch at Little Anthony's Diner. A real replica of a 50's and 60's diner. Complete with pink Cadillac.<br />
Burgers and fries, malts and sundaes.<br />
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Who is going to admit that they remember that?<br />
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The show was fun with lots of puns and humor. The singers were all very good.<br />
And the story - Holiday perfect!<br />
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And one of the best pop piano players I have heard. Her fingers flew over the keys.<br />
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Endless popcorn and servers in festive costume.<br />
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-90276918626175547242012-12-06T11:00:00.000-08:002012-12-06T11:00:12.468-08:00The Hope Of ChristmasDesert Hill Lutheran Church had their first all choir, all instrumentalist Christmas Concert.<br />
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Many hours of practice and organization went into this event. Much praise from the attendees.MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-60199089034476800152012-11-30T15:49:00.001-08:002012-11-30T16:10:14.523-08:00Posada Java Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
La Posada Celebrates the expansion of Cafe Java and the Treasure Shop</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsha turns the Wheel of Fortune for a prize</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CEO Lisa gets a hug and a Hershey Kiss</td></tr>
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-48799088847309683182012-11-21T19:05:00.003-08:002012-11-22T17:57:59.515-08:00A fall of reading Native American books.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was not planned but I found that this fall I read four great books<br />
about Native Americans. I highly recommend all of the books as giving us insight into the experience of the Native American in the white man's culture.<br />
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<u>Desert Wife</u> is a memoir of a wife from 1915-1919 spent managing a<br />
trading post in the four corners of Arizona with her husband. Written in1928 and first published in 1935 I heartily recommend this book to all seeking to<br />
understand the Navajo living in this part of Arizona.<br />
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<u>Eagle Catcher </u>is a mystery that takes place in Wyoming's Wind River Reservation of the Arapoho Indians. Father John O'Malley seeks to solve the murder of the tribal chairman.<br />
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In <u>Round House</u>, Louise Erdrich returns to the great story telling of her early novels. Here she tells the story of a Native American Family and community faced with a devastating assault of one of its loved female members.</div>
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In <u>Yes is Better than No</u>, famed children story writer, Byrd Baylor tell the story of Papago Indians in 1960 moving to a South Tucson ghetto. These Native Americans are now known as the To'hon'odahm</div>
MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-50265591405640593562012-11-13T15:14:00.000-08:002012-11-13T15:14:51.055-08:00Everyone loves a Boutique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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'Tis the season for Christmas Boutiques. Desert Hill Lutheran Church put on their annual sale of gifts and food. All items and baked goods made by members of the church. We will look for many more this season.<br />
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-35603786936055756342012-11-13T15:13:00.003-08:002012-11-13T15:25:57.376-08:00A Visit to An Olive Mill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I visited the Queen Creek Olive Mill just south of Chandler at the base of the San Tan mountains and a 2 hr drive from Green Valley. This is a very worthwhile trip. The Mill's primary business is making unique olive oils of many flavors including chocolate and bacon. It is advertised as one of the best olive oils in the world. Long sunny days and cool desert nights make an ideal climate for olive trees.</div>
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Thomas Jefferson said this about the Olive Tree</div>
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The Mill provides a tour and explanation of the olive oil making process. A large and wells stocked gift shop is on the grounds. One can picnic among the olive trees choosing from an extensive menu including salads, soups, sandwiches and even waffles.</div>
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A guide tells us that harvesting is from October to December and the making of the oil is done in only 24 hours. The oil must then be stored without any light or oxygen waiting to be bottled for sale.</div>
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A perfect day trip would be to the Mill, have a picnic and then travel to just south of Florence to St Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery to see the beautiful architecture and gardens with citrus and olive trees. Check out the blog of March 15, 2012 for photos of this very special place.</div>
MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-65011018521313945672012-11-10T16:01:00.002-08:002012-11-10T16:01:11.324-08:00Taste of La PosadaThe annual "Taste of La Posada" is probably a marketing tool for the community to be introduced to La Posada and what it can offer. However for me it was a time to meet and greet old friends and new.<br />
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Good food. Good music. Good friends.MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-75826579261047492782012-11-05T09:43:00.004-08:002012-11-05T09:49:31.150-08:00Halloween at La Posada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of the neat things about living in a community such as La Posada is that no holiday goes</div>
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uncelebrated. </div>
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But all is done for you. Great decorations. Marvelous food. Servers in costume. People of all ages. Employes brought their kids in costume. Fun had by everyone.</div>
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-68450463501079145772012-10-22T14:57:00.000-07:002012-10-22T14:57:03.297-07:00La Posada Casita<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is hoping that this will be the last home of Maggie, Ralph and Buddy.</div>
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We now have sunsets. Long walks along the Santa Cruz River.</div>
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Views of the Santa Rita Mountains</div>
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All we need in our post retirement home.</div>
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-74014911855593106742012-10-09T16:50:00.002-07:002012-10-09T16:51:42.278-07:00Six reasons I go to Mexico to the Dentist#1 Of course it starts with the much lower fee structure.<br />
#2 I learned they don't tell you you need procedures that you don't need.<br />
#3 I met and liked Dr. T. periodontist for cleaning and Dr. Sergio for general dentistry.<br />
#4 Always a pretty ride down. Today lots of Black Eyed Susan (?) flowers along the way.<br />
#5 Nogales, Sonora is always interesting.<br />
#6 Lots of neat restaurants for a late lunch in Tumacocori, Carmen and Tubac on the way home,<br />
Today we enjoyed Wisdom's Cafe.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EX5SDcQmhXw/UHS3UgRkWII/AAAAAAAAFfU/7eocK9HGt1A/s1600/Mexico+streest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EX5SDcQmhXw/UHS3UgRkWII/AAAAAAAAFfU/7eocK9HGt1A/s320/Mexico+streest.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNUL8tu8r6Y/UHS3VkqBKSI/AAAAAAAAFfc/WRaqPOeU6O8/s1600/wisdoms.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNUL8tu8r6Y/UHS3VkqBKSI/AAAAAAAAFfc/WRaqPOeU6O8/s1600/wisdoms.gif" /></a>MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-15807618960166934462012-10-02T10:57:00.002-07:002012-10-09T16:32:27.077-07:00Major life changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-5YoNcNPk/UGc0SHDvPOI/AAAAAAAAFbY/SHxLarTvGZI/s1600/img009+(566x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-5YoNcNPk/UGc0SHDvPOI/AAAAAAAAFbY/SHxLarTvGZI/s320/img009+(566x800).jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Just thinking about a move -exhausting. </div>
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The sorting down to what is valuable in your life – emotionally draining. </div>
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The physical labor, even with hired help -challenging to the maximum.</div>
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A year from now. The right decision.</div>
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But hardly priceless.</div>
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Thinking back over a life time</div>
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Major life changes</div>
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So many took place in the fall of the year</div>
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Starting first grade</div>
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Missed the kindergarden experience</div>
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Does it tell?</div>
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Starting many more years of school</div>
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High school, nursing school, college</div>
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Marriage</div>
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Moving to Green Valley, Arizona</div>
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Now moving to La Posada</div>
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Last move?</div>
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Maybe</div>
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Maybe not</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LI_JOHg6yAI/UGc0UdUFxOI/AAAAAAAAFbw/SpD8BDq2V-w/s1600/wedding+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LI_JOHg6yAI/UGc0UdUFxOI/AAAAAAAAFbw/SpD8BDq2V-w/s320/wedding+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marriage - 1970</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYsch2lx2V8/UGsm9LPE0NI/AAAAAAAAFc0/EQ76ixnoryE/s1600/cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYsch2lx2V8/UGsm9LPE0NI/AAAAAAAAFc0/EQ76ixnoryE/s320/cup.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swedish Hospital School of Nursing 1964</td></tr>
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-77348236645061462712012-09-14T15:45:00.000-07:002012-09-14T15:45:40.411-07:00Evolution of a microburst at sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-46947094100053198552012-09-09T13:15:00.002-07:002012-09-09T13:15:44.136-07:00Desert Flower - An important film<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kb4KcHH7cyY/UEz38_3KClI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/2_qUuNq7duU/s1600/desertflower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kb4KcHH7cyY/UEz38_3KClI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/2_qUuNq7duU/s320/desertflower3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Desert Flower is the story of a young girl who crosses the desert of Somalia to escape a forced marriage. Having been born to a nomadic tribe, she survived female genital mutilation at the age of three. 140 million women world wide live with the results of this horrendous procedure. Many bleed to death from the practice or in childbirth and all suffer the consequences as they grow into womanhood.<br />
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This movie tells the story of Waris Dirie who flees to London, suffers homelessness and as an undocumented immigrant but becomes one of the World's most recognizable supermodels. She now speaks out for governments to ban this practice. The movie is adapted from the book of the same name about her journey.<br />
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Sherry Horman directs this drama and stars Liya Kebede an Ethiopian born model and actress.<br />
Timothy Spall plays the photographer that discovers her in a fast food restaurant. And Sally Hawkins plays the Londoner who reluctantly becomes her good friend. Both Hawkins and Spall can be see in many of Mike Leigh's films.<br />
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<br />MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-55979790939421765172012-08-26T14:28:00.002-07:002012-08-26T14:28:46.644-07:00Chain Restaurants, IMOIn my teen years, quite some decades ago, both chain restaurants such as Denny's and fast food such as Kentucky Fried Chicken opened in our town. In the following decades they were looked upon as inferior dining as people preferred the Mom and Pop and individual fine dining restaurants. While driving cross country and finding these unpredictable my feelings about chain food restaurants began to change. Applebees was always Applebees and breakfast, lunch and dinner chains were consistent in menu and in quality control in whatever city we came to rest.<br />
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In the August issue of <u>The New Yorker</u>, Atul Gawande suggests in an article titled <u>Big Med</u> that perhaps health care can apply the concepts of a quality chain restaurant, The Cheese Factory, to provide quality and consistency to hospitals and clinics.<br />
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<i>"Big chains thrive because they provide goods and services of greater variety, better quality, and lower cost than would otherwise be available."</i>MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314810985983537648.post-28479799353990860972012-08-19T17:31:00.001-07:002012-08-21T17:18:15.820-07:00Canine Teamwork<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What is it??<br />
You got it?<br />
Me, me, me<br />
My turn now!<br />
I'll get it from here!<br />
<br />
Got it surrounded now!<br />
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MaggieMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352965912687528798noreply@blogger.com0