One Picture Says It All

I've shared with you before my admiration for political cartoons in general and, specifically, the creations of Dana Summers.

Today is the actual 25th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy.

I remember well, the day after the event, this drawing appearing in the paper. It said everything we were feeling at the time.

It reappeared in this morning's paper along with the explanation from Dana Summers as to how he came up with it.

I think it was inspired.

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Academy Awards

The Academy Award nominations came out today. I applaud their choices.

Here are the top ten movies:

The King's Speech - a wonderful movie. But for those of you who love car chases - you're out of luck. It's slow and sweet. And a real life story of someone overcoming circumstances in order to make a difference in the world. The only reason this movie has an R rating is because the future king adopts a potty mouth as part of his therapy. I love Colin Firth.

True Grit - A wonderful, gritty, classic western. Far more realistic than the cartoony John Wayne version. This one is true to the book. I love Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.

The Black Swan - Scary, tense, suspenseful with periods of beautiful dancing. If you see this movie you'll never want to be a ballerina. This movie deserves its R rating. It's not called a physio/sexual thriller for nothing. I love Natalie Portman.

The Kids Are All Right - If you're offended by homosexuality don't see it. Otherwise, it's a funny, romantic movie about family members trying to resolve issues. I love Annette Bening.

The Social Network - I reviewed on October 9th.

Inception - I reviewed on August 10th.

Toy Story 3 - It's cute, sweet and beautifully filmed - but I'm just not a fan of animation.

127 Hours - I don't want to see it because it's about that guy who's hiking and has to chop off his arm. But I'm sure it's about the triumph of the human spirit.

The Fighter - This is the next film on our list. I've heard nothing but good things about it - even from those like me who don't like fighting.

Winter's Bone - Haven't seen it and it's gone now. But maybe it will come back since it made the list.

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Challenger Anniversary

Hard to believe we're coming up on the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

Seven astronauts died, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, when the space shuttle blew up 73 seconds after takeoff.

I was living on the space coast at the time so the events were sered into my brain. But most everybody in Florida and in the country over the age of 40 remembers where they were and what they were doing when it happened.

I was on my way to the Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne when I heard it on the radio. I pulled into a parking lot, got out of the car and looked at the sky.

It was a mess.

I got back in the car. The announcer wasn't sure about if or when the astronauts died but, after looking at the sky, I knew. I sat in the car and prayed that they died instantly - with no suffering.

A few months later I was invited to do some consulting at a sub contracting company at the space center. It was a privilege but also stressful and hard. Because those left behind were still suffering in all kinds of ways from space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

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The Painted Houses

Several times a week I drive by a house I really like. It's very architectural. Sharp lines. It's painted a deep mustard color. The trim is dark green. Oh yeah, it also has red doors. Sounds strange but it works. It's especially striking at Christmas time when they put poinsettias everywhere.

Then the traditional house right next door was painted a baby blue with white trim. It, too, is attractive. But, of course, they clash. It's like eating pickles and ice cream. They're both good, but come on.

Now the art deco house directly across the street has been painted a bright Easter egg yellow. With white trim. I'd be ashamed to tell you how I described it to Dave but it involved a description of food poisoning.

Don't these neighbors know each other? Don't they look at each other's houses? Don't they care about us?

I wonder what's next.


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Angels in Disguise

We know that tragedy brings out the best in many people. In fact, it brings out the heroic in people. But the truth is that most folks are doing random acts of kindness every day.

We're still reading and hearing about those who've gone above and beyond since the Arizona tragedy.

The parents of little Christina-Taylor Green contacted a group of Trappist Monks in Iowa who hand-make caskets. But the monks didn't want to send an adult coffin. They wanted something special, something just for nine year old Christina-Taylor. They crafted a casket from red oak especially for her. The lid of the casket is inscribed with her name, date of birth and death - and a cross. They also sent five small keepsake crosses hewn from the same wood. They gave the coffin to the Green family free of charge after giving it a special blessing.

But the thing is, when any child dies it hits the monks especially hard. So they always give the child's casket to the family free of charge.


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Rituals

We here in central Florida are proud of our hometown syndicated cartoonists, Ralph Dunagin and Dana Summers.

As you know, I'm amazed at political cartoonists who make us think deeply with only a drawing.

But Dunagin and Summers also have a syndicated comic strip called the Middletons.

I can totally relate to Sunday's strip featuring Grandma Middleton. Sometimes when I'm on the couch watching the TV, I feel really drowsy. But after all the gyrations I go through to get ready for bed I'm wide awake again.

Can't believe that, when I was a young woman, I'd eat popcorn in bed - and then go to sleep.! If I did that now my teeth would fall out for sure.

In her book "I Remember Nothing," Nora Ephron says that one of the things she won't miss when she dies is taking off her makeup at night.

Oh brother, that's just the beginning.

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Happy Birthday

My good friend is going to be 70 years old soon. Sometimes, to cheer people up when they hit these alarming decade birthdays, I send them a list of celebs who're hitting the same age around the same time. They're always so great looking that it makes us feel better about ourselves.

For instance, Mary Tyler Moore was born close to my birth date but she's much older than me.

But the celebs I found that are hitting the big 7-0 around the same time as my friend are scary looking.

Of course, you recognize Nick Nolte to the left. If you look him up you'll find that most of his recent photos are similar to this one.

Then there's Dick Cheney. My friend has some health problems but at least she doesn't have a defibrillator permanently installed in her chest.

And then there's Sam Waterston. I love Sam Waterston. He played Jack McCoy on my all time favorite TV drama, "Law & Order." (Even though it's been cancelled you can still see "Law & Order" any time you want. Just turn on the TV. It will be there.)

Now Sam's doing commercials and I still like him, but - he looks really old!

So I guess I won't send my friend the usual birthday celeb photos. She looks a thousand times better than these guys.

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