Mirkwood Reflections

We rented Stardust because I had heard so many good reports about it. However, I was so totally disappointed in it that I shut it off halfway and made the kids go to bed. I thought it was PG, but after I looked it up online, I saw that it was PG-13, which explains some of why it was so inappropriate for kids. However, it was marketed as a movie that would be wonderful for children. Now, to be totally honest here, I did not see the very beginning, as they started it before I got home. As I came in, Bob and David both told me it was a weird movie. I'm sure there is more to the plot than I am listing below, but these are the parts I found objectionable. But this is what I gathered. Claire Danes apparently plays a star (yes, like from the sky) that fell down and Michelle Pfeiffer plays a witch who needs to cut out Claire's heart and eat it to stay young. Not only that, apparently Michelle and her 2 witchy sisters had already cut out and eaten another star's heart, which

In 2007, I read 86 books (the same as 2006, in fact!). Following are the ones I rated Excellent . I'd recommend any of these books. Fiction Red Leaves - Thomas H. Cook The Cloud of Unknowing - Thomas H. Cook Family Tree - Barbara Delinsky The Double Bind - Chris Bohjalian Veil of Roses - Laura Fitzgerald Blessed Child - Bill Bright & Ted Dekker A Man Called Blessed - Bill Bright & Ted Dekker Gap Creek - Robert Morgan Kidnapped - Jan Burke Outlander - Diana Gabaldon Blink - Ted Dekker The Last Sin Eater - Francine Rivers Hadassah: One Night with the King - Tommy Tenney with Mark Andrew Olsen Shadow Man - Cody McFadyen The Cay - Theodore Taylor Non-fiction The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less - Terry Ryan Curly Girl: More than just hair...it's an attitude! - Lorraine Massey How to Talk So Kids Can Learn At Home and In School - Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish The Light and the Glory - Peter Marshall and David Manuel Every Y

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - 12/02/07 Good - Fiction Edward leaves and Bella establishes a relationship with Jacob, but he also has a secret. The sequel to Twilight - I can't wait to read the 3rd one. I'm #6 on the library's waiting list. How to Write Romances by Phyllis Taylor Pianka - 12/11/07 Good - Non-fiction How to combine conflict, desire, adventure and romance to create compelling love stories (1988) Although this book is twenty (!) years old, I think the info is still relevant. It jives with all the other info I have read online. Open Invitation by Karen Kendall - 12/13/07 Fair - Romance Explicit Ranchowner needs an etiquette consultant to get him ready for his sister's wedding This is part of the Harlequin Blaze series. Let's just say I don't think *I* will be writing this sort of romance novel. I debated even putting it on my list here, but honesty won out. :::sickly grin::: Montana Twins by Charlotte Maclay - 12/16/07 Fair - Romance Sheriff