I’m Alive! #JusJoJan

 Today’s #JusJoJan prompt from Linda Hill is unicorn. Use it any way you like. So, from one of my kids’ (and my) favorite animated films….

Theme from The Last Unicorn

One of my favorite scenes…

Every Day Is Like Christmas/#1LinerWednesday/#9GoodThings

 No? What do you mean? 

In a world where so much ugliness slithers its way into our lives even as we struggle to find the beauty there, it can seem that the only day when people really share and care is Christmas. 

If we just take a moment to step back and examine what the most beloved holiday of the year represents, we might realize that we experience its magic nearly every day of our lives. Friendship, gifts, love, beauty, brilliance and hope. And if we remember that little overblown holiday between Fright Night and Commercialism’s favorite day, we could add thanksgiving to our list. 

So, starting off my list of Good Things is…

1) Traditions

Okay, okay. Yes, this a photo of Harry Potter and you might wonder how it fits in with my theme. Well, yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter movie franchise. I saw this film with my youngest son and it set in motion a tradition for he and I that went on for all the years of the story’s unfolding on the big screen. Harry holds a special place in our hearts. My son even buys me Lego Potter sets to build. It is a magical story that somehow screams of the holidays, likely because they often celebrated Christmas in the films. And it just makes you feel good. 

Spending time with my kids has always been the greatest gift in the world and a very good thing.

 2) Nature..

Living in such an eco diverse country brings so many moments of magical wonder. This is a Silkmoth Caterpillar. You don’t want to cuddle it. Those feelers pack quite a sting. But if left to continue its business will one day become a gorgeous adult moth. 

I’ve seen one up close and they are so amazing. 

Pretty huh? 

3) Friendship and generosity..

How about this face? Meet Buzzbee. Yes, he’s a hedgehog. He has a brother named Weed who is a bit more shy. These brothers from the bushes are some of the cool ‘children’ of the sweet people who created our little residential oasis here. Les and Julie have a deep love of all things natural. They cultivate a wide variety of garden treasures in their greenhouse, raise chickens and quail and have turned a simple piece of property into an extraordinary bit of paradise.  They happily share its bounty with all of us who live here and for this we are thankful.

4) Playtime..

Every evening is outdoor fun time for the little guys with their frisky, in-charge brother Trek keeping watch!

I love making new friends. 😀

5) A safe place to snuggle..

The hedgehogs love running around in the grass and hiding in their burrows on the hill.

Isn’t this a face you can’t resist? ❤️❤️

6) Caring and sharing..

Our hosts Les and Julie are a lovely couple who appreciate their life here in Panama and share with others whenever they can. Julie is involved in community efforts and helps organize and work charity events as well as networking to keep the ladies of Boquete connected. Les is a conscientious gardener and kindly shares the ‘fruits’ of his labors . 😱The lemons. 

Julie and Buzzbee! 🤗

7) Thoughtfulness

I was sorely needing a ‘little Christmas’ and since Thanksgiving is not an official holiday here, I was more than happy to start jingling some bells. 

This little tree was ours when we spent Christmas here last year, before the disaster. My sweet friend from where we lived before saved it for me, knowing we would return. Thanks Lissy for the encouragement and support during our hardship! We have been blessed with good friends and loving family. 

8) Having a magical tree decorating hat! 😜

What do you think, is the magic working? 

9) Ending the day watching one of my favorite shows..

The Great British Baking Show 🥰

with a snack…🤭

How about sharing your good things with me here? 

Louis expressed it best..

Because I Must!

 One of our favorite movies for years has been Blast From the Past. I don’t have enough room in this post to explain the million reasons why but this scene came to mind when I think of the times someone asks why a person does things they might not do themselves. 

Sorry I couldn’t find a version without the Spanish dub. At one point in the film, Adam’s father is explaining baseball as a game to his son. When asked why the player runs to get to home plate, his father responds, “Because he must!” This is a phrase used by Christopher Walken’s character throughout the film when asked why things have to be done. 

If you haven’t seen this wonderful film yet, well, you must! 

And while we are talking films there is another that actually has a song in it which is now stuck in my head. While the message in the video is completely different than what I am expressing, it is nonetheless stuck. So, I am sharing links to the video as well as the movie clip so that you can have it ‘stuck’ as well! 🤭 

We Are the Millers is not a movie for the folks who don’t care for irreverence or raunchy humor but it is definitely funny. 

And the actual song which is really a good one by TLC…

What is the point of all this Hollywood involvement? My brain is addicted to Life ‘Connect the Dots’.You know, like all roads lead back to Kevin Bacon, or something like that. 

Simply put, we DO go out in search of waterfalls, mountains, canyons, rivers, lakes, shooting stars, blood moons, birds, bugs, whales, dolphins, monkeys, sloths, cold beer, great burgers, vintage cars, lifetime friends and anything new and unexpected! 

Why?  As Professor Weber so simply stated in the film, “Because we must!” You decide. Is it worth stepping out of our comfort zones for a little bit of magnificence now and then? 

As for me, I think I’ll keep my running shoes handy. 😉❤️

In My Own Little Corner/ SoCS

 Magic happens, dreams come true, and love abounds...

“Just as long as I stay in my own little corner...all alone in my own little chair.”

When I was quite small this was my favorite holiday film and I had to reenact it for days, using a hand me down white party dress and sing this song just before my Fairy Godmother showed up. How I longed for one of my own.

This post brought to you by Linda Hill’ SoCS prompt. Be sure to visit her blog to meet other great bloggers.

https://lindaghill.com/2021/01/01/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2021-daily-prompt-jan-2nd/

 

It’s Official!

I want to change my name to Bob and apply for an architecture apprenticeship at the Lego factory.

My youngest son, also my birthday buddy, saw every Harry Potter movie with me from the time he was around ten. It was our tradition and so much fun. We both love the books, the films and all that the story embodies. Jo Rowling is a hero in many ways. So, when he sent me pics of his own Lego set of Hogwarts, I was envious. It looked amazing. So, for Mother’s Day he surprised me with my own set! This one is Hagrid’s hut and Buckbeak’s near demise and rescue by Harry and Hermione.  

I figured I would just start slow, doing a bit each night as a kind of meditation, a mindless enjoyment. I began the set with the adorable little Mother’s Day card kit. It is so sweet. 

As you can see from the first photo, there were choices for the message. I asked him which one he would choose for me. He chose this one.😊💕

Then the real fun started. I put together a few pieces the first night. 

Then last night I worked on it until I was too tired to see. 

Today all bets were off. So much for stretching out the fun, as I worked with feverish glee to get every piece in the right place, making one of my favorite parts of The Prizoner of Azkaban film come to life. As you can see, the set even has a light that comes on for the fireplace! (That’s to keep Hagrid’s Dragon egg warm..)

So there you have it, my new career has been decided upon. But until then, I hope to get more sets cuz lego fun has been a mind saving distraction for me. And I get to have my good friends from Hogwarts with me all the time now. Thanks again Willard! 😘🤗

I  want to thank Linda Hilla for her #SOCS prompt this week

Visit her page for more great posts! Meanwhile, enjoy a snippet of the wonderful world of Harry Potter.