Saturday movie review: Alex of Venice

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Watching blockbuster movies as they premiere at the theater can be the ultimate movie experience for movie lovers. That manner of watching movies isn't the norm for most folks nowadays, though. No, most folks are more like me—enjoying movies at home as soon as they premiere on DVD. Or later yet, on streaming services.

The relatively extensive lag between a blockbuster movie showing at the theater to appearing in my Netflix streaming queue means I spend a far amount of time searching streaming options for gems to watch between must-see movies I'm waiting on. I found a gem the other night: ALEX OF VENICE.

alex of venice movie

ALEX OF VENICE is the directorial debut of Chris Messina, whom many may know from TV's...

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Saturday movie review: Cyber-Seniors

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I do most of my connecting with my grandsons and their mama (my daughter) in various long-distance manners, most of which are online or via FaceTime. So I fully understand the value of being online and the importance of helping seniors get online.

Which is why I believe the documentary CYBER-SENIORS should be viewed by anyone who has an elderly parent or other loved one who could connect with friends and family online but has been hesitant to learn how to do it.

Today, though, I'm actually with my grandsons and their mama—visiting them in the desert rather than seeing pictures online or chit-chatting over FaceTime—so this movie review must be quick...so I can get on with the visiting. Here goes:

Cyber-Seniors documentary

Bare bones, bottom line: CYBER-SENIORS is super! And the poignant...

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8 reasons grandparents should not resist a rest

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8 reasons grandparents should not resist a rest

Once you're old enough to be a grandparent, a good night's sleep is hard to come by. Chalk it up to hormones, hot flashes, medications, and more. Considering the causes can be exhausting in itself.

Despite our continual quest to quench our desire for downtime, we grandparents often flat-out refuse to rest our weary heads when we're with our grandchildren. Whether it's because we feel guilty or we simply want to "get stuff done," resisting a rest can be detrimental to our health and happiness. Detrimental to the health and happiness of our grandchildren, too—especially when they're in our care.

Here's why:

sleeping woman and dog 

NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP...

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GRAND greeting! Plus GRAND Social No. 161 link party for grandparents

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GRAND greeting

Saturday was my birthday, and I received many kind and happy greetings from family, friends and loved ones. (You Facebook friends? Sheesh...! You guys are awesome! And appreciated!)

I must say, though, that of all the birthday greetings I received, this was the most grand of all:

 

Megan told me that video was the...

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A seventh birthday and the ages he's been

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"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been."   ~Madeleine L'Engle

June is a busy birthday month for my family.  June 1 was Mac's birthday. Yesterday was Jak's birthday. Tomorrow is Bubby's. PawDad and I had the pleasure of celebrating all three birthdays with the boys when we visited them in May.

In recognition of his for-real special day, happy seventh birthday to dear Bubby, my grandson No. 1!

seventh birthday 

I'm so blessed to have seen all Bubby's...

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A grand ONE! Plus GRAND Social No. 159 link party for grandparents

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A grand ONE!

Seems not that long ago that I announced my third grandson had arrived. Yet it was long ago—a full year tomorrow, to be exact.

Tomorrow, Baby Jak will be one year old! Not so much a baby anymore.

first birthday 

Happy first birthday to silly—and strong-headed—Jak! Gramma...

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On swings, rainbows, and indigo endings

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On swings, rainbows, and indigo endings

On the upper level of my home, we have a three-season porch. It's fashioned after the porches popular in Colorado Springs in the late 1800s, peaceful spots where tuberculosis patients rested on beds while soaking up the fresh, restorative mountain air.

Ours is a three-season porch, with no insulation protecting the space from cold. Meaning, we don't access the room in the winter. Come spring, though, the porch door is opened—and our indoor swing firmly attached in the doorway.

indoor swing on three-season porch

My grandsons and other young-at-heart visitors...

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