There were a few times this month when I went to start writing about something and changed my mind. I wanted to comment about some current event, got sad, and then decided to curl up on the couch instead. I did want to reflect on a few things that have happened since my last post, varying in tone.
Dolly Parton. On Friday, I wore my Dolly Parton button in celebration of Dolly Day. While I loved Dolly’s music (favorites included Jolene, 9 to 5, and Islands in the Stream – with Kenny Rogers), a visit to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa years ago had me smitten over Dolly as a human. The sprawling resort and theme park located in Pigeon Forge, TN, are like the most beautiful love letter to all things Dolly. Museum-like hallways, a fantastic restaurant (Song & Hearth), and gorgeous pool were wonderful memories made. My daughter was only 2 or 3 years old at the time, and she was captivated by the nightly bedtime stories read in the lobby (a hotel perk I had never seen before or since). Many will remember Dolly for music, I will hold her in my heart for her charitable works surrounding literacy. Her Imagination Library has been giving away countless books to children and will remain a highlight in her legacy.
Laughter. If anyone is finding laughter in short supply these days, I wanted to share a few Netflix recommendations that will bring the funny. Leanne’s season two returned and when I I tell you LOL funny, I mean it. Side note: It takes a lot to make me LOL, even if I think something is hilarious. Don’t get me started on ROFL; that rarely happens. Season 2 follows Leanne taking more of an active role with her aging parents, which many of us can relate to now. This time, the tears are joyful. Check it out.
Cleansing tears. Hear me out. Every now and again, a good cry is what the psychiatrist ordered. It’s cathartic and better than internal combustion, amirite? Two movies are guaranteed to make you cry, think, and reflect. They are Netflix’s Don’t Say Good Luck starring Goddess Melanie Lynskey, Sunny Sandler, and Max Greenfield. The mom (played by Melanie Lynskey) has cancer, three kids, and the most beautiful relationship with her theater kid teenager played by Sunny Sandler. There are funny parts and deep family moments. (Author’s Note: If you are expecting something funny like the also wonderful You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitvah, you will be extremely disappointed. They are night and day comparisons.)
Forgotten Island (could have been a separate post, but I already committed to these tangents). Wow. First off, I heard so little about this film until my daughter said she wanted to see it. Second, even if you pay taxes and bills, you will love this animated feature about two best friends who end up on a mystical island, and the price to return home? Giving up their shared memories of friendship. This stars the voices of H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, and the always delightful Jenny Slate. The friendship of Jo and Raissa will tug at your heart. I can’t remember the last time I cried steadily while watching an animated feature. Maybe the horrible Lion King? Forgotten Island leveled me. The animation and music were fantastic, too.
Scary Season. As soon as the pumpkin spice starts making its way into coffee cups, I’m ready for all things fall and Halloweenie. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is standard Ryan Murphy – compelling, sometimes absurd, scary, sometimes grotesque, and thought-provoking. This is not a docu-series, with many artistic flares inserted. Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden, the Victorian-era axe murderer, with such restraint and delicacy one moment and a fevered rage the next. Rebecca Hall’s Abby Borden, the villainous step mother, stands out among the cast. Sarah Paulson appears as Aileen Wournos in a Lizzie-inspired flashforward, with haunting results. It’s on Netflix and worth the watch, if you dare!
Cuteness. I couldn’t end this post with Lizzie Borden. Here is a pic of my old chiweenie still kickin’ it live!
Dear reader, what are you up to and enjoying? Please leave a comment, like, and subscribe. Hope whatever is bringing you joy and warmth that it lasts all season long.
Leave a Reply