Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
Photos of the Day – Feb 4th
Here are the Photos of the Day for February 4, 2017:
# 35 Photo Prompt – Mix:
“Three Cereals in One”
I love mixing multiple cereals together to make one perfect cereal…..in this case, I put Blueberry Morning, Great Grains Pecans Dates and Raisins, and Raspberry Frosted Mini Wheats together……can you say “a little extra fiber”, boys and girls???
# 35 Caught By My Lens:
“Wine About Winter Wine Glasses”
What a pretty display of commemorative wine glasses at Medina’s Wine About Winter wine walk event, today!
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February 2017’s Photo Prompts:
Photos of the Day – Feb 3rd
Hi-Dee-Ho! So…..today was a pretty full day and I didn’t get any photos of any kind……I gave the photo prompt (“Happy”) some thought and nothing materialized to meet it…….I gave up and figured I’d just skip today – after all, I’m not going to force a photo if I can’t find the inspiration and it looked like today was just a not the day for it!!! Then, I was catching up on some shows on the DVR and was watching last night’s Hell’s Kitchen when the season finale winner was announced and it hit me……the scene was the winner hugging her mother and her daughter with major joy and happiness and a banner popped up to show that her mother was saying “I’m so happy for you!”…….and BAM – that was it!!! I rewound it and got ready with the camera and got it! YAY……thanks to my DVR, I got today’s photo prompt just in the nick of time! hehehe Then, I had a renewed interest in getting BOTH photos of the day and Megan gave me my second inspiration when I was watching her make her nightly patrol around the fence line while out taking care of her business!
Day saved!
Here are the Photos of the Day for February 3, 2017:
# 34 Photo Prompt – Happy!:
“Winner!”
# 34 Caught By My Lens:
“Nightly Patrol”
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February 2017’s Photo Prompts:
Movie Review – Lion
I’m so happy that there is finally a good selection of movies out that I am interested in. I have really missed going to the theater and am glad to be going so often, so far this year, and actually have a list of movies I hope to see when I can as they come out! 🙂
Today, I went to see Lion with a friend. This is the true story set in India and Australia of a small boy who gets separated from his older brother and ends up on a train that takes him far from his small village in India across the country to Calcutta. At just five years old, he suddenly finds himself alone in a part of the country that speaks a different language and too young to identify himself, his mother, or his home to the authorities. He struggles to survive with many other unfortunate street children all fending for themselves. He goes through horrifying situations no five year old should endure and narrowly escapes unspeakable dangers until he is placed in an orphanage and adopted by a loving family in Australia. In later years, he is haunted by memories of his mother and brother and becomes determined to find them with very little to go on.
Dev Patel brilliantly portrays the adult Saroo Brierley – Dev definitely provides some awesome eye candy 🙂 , but he also gives a heartfelt performance that conveys the torment Saroo feels as he searches for his birth family. Sunny Pawar is simply adorable as the young Saroo and does an incredible job playing the terrified, lost child trying to survive alone in strange surroundings. David Wenham and Nicole Kidman play John and Sue Brierley – Saroo’s adoptive parents.
It was an excellent story and very good acting. However, there is a long period in the beginning up until Saroo’s adoption that is spoken all in Hindi with subtitles – personally, I really hate having to read the dialog while trying to watch the scenes, but I do understand that it was necessary in this case, so I am willing to not let it impact my over all review rating. Also, there is a long stretch in the middle that becomes very slow and boring – I had to fight to keep from falling asleep a couple of times. I am really disappointed that this concern DID put a damper on the movie as a whole, for me……the emotional beginning and ending, the acting, and the excellent story itself were so good, but, in this case, I just can’t say that they overcame the frustration of a boring middle – I think it just took up too much of the movie. So, I rate this one a 3.75 out of 5Â – I struggled with whether to push it to a 4, but in the end, decided on the 3.75. I really am glad I went to see it and did, for the most part, like it…..just wish I had waited to stream it for free and not paid to see it – even at matinee prices. Of course – as always, this is just my never to be humble opinion…..yours may differ!
OH – and, if you do go see it, be sure to read the follow up information they post at the end of the movie……it explains some things and gives some additional insight into Saroo and his birth family.
Here is the trailer for those who wish to know more about the story:
Photos of the Day – February 2nd
Happy Ground Hog Day……well, the little rodent saw his shadow, so we’re in for six more weeks of winter! We’ve only seen a few quick glimpses of sun for a few weeks, now, and TODAY it has to come out bright enough for a self-proclaimed weather predicting expert to see his shadow??? Oh well…….no matter WHAT the ground hog says, spring is coming and will get here soon enough!
I celebrated Ground Hog’s Day by going to the movies, today, to see A Dog’s Purpose…..scroll to the next post for my review (but don’t scroll too fast – take time to check out today’s Photos of the Day on your way!).
Here are the Photos of the Day for February 2, 2017:
# 33 Photo Prompt – Light:
“Mantle Night Lights”
Great advice……Great song…….Words I Live By!!!
See Music Video for this song below!
# 33 Caught By My Lens:
“Clarendon Falls”
I stopped by the Clarendon Falls on my way back from the movies…….happy to see it flowing strong! It was all dried up much of this past hot, dry summer!
Here are a couple other shots from today at the falls:
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I Hope You Dance:
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February 2017’s Photo Prompts:
Movie Review – A Dog’s Purpose
It is no secret that I am a HUGE dog lover……dogs are amazing creatures. Even though I tend to gravitate to anything dog-related, I was reluctant to go see A Dog’s Purpose. I don’t like movies where the dog dies or has to be put down…..it makes me extremely emotional. And…..if you’ve seen the trailers for this movie, you know that the dog dies – multiple times – don’t blame me for that spoiler, the marketing guys who put the trailers out did it! But, the more I read about it and saw interviews with Dennis Quaid – one of the stars of the movie – the more I started to change my mind. Then, today, I went! And, I’m so very glad I did!
So, this is the story of a dog who is searching for what his purpose in life is. It takes him a few lifetimes to finally get the answer to his lingering questions. He starts out as Bailey, whose boy is Ethan, and they grow up together as inseparable pals. When his time with Ethan is over, he moves on to a series of other lives with other pals – like real life, some of his lives are wonderful with loving, caring humans and then, there are the not so great lives some dogs have to endure. Each life he goes through, he learns new lessons and comes closer to the answer to his question – what is a dog’s purpose – what is HIS purpose!
Yes, it was very emotional……each time his life ends, I went through a few napkins……then, each time he is reincarnated as a new puppy, I got overwhelmed with happy emotions and used a few more napkins! The whole movie is very tastefully done and emphasizes the happy lives more than dwelling on the sad endings. So, it was OK……I wasn’t traumatized or depressed by it at all! In fact, it was wonderful……I loved it – a lot! I especially enjoyed all the thoughts they put in the various dogs heads – some were absolutely hysterical! I only have two things I wish would have been different……I would have loved to see more of Dennis Quaid – LOVE HIM!!! And, I would not have been at all bored if they stretched it out some – maybe added a couple more lives and definitely focused more and expanded on his last life – I could have sat there another two hours (or more) watching this movie!!!
Oh — and, I didn’t realize when I was watching it who was playing the “Adult Hannah” – I thought she looked familiar, but didn’t know who she was, so I looked her up when I got home…….it was Peggy Lipton from TVs Mod Squad from the late 60s, early 70s – LOVED THAT SHOW and used to think I could be Julie Barnes!!! hehehe
So……yes, I loved this movie and highly recommend it for anyone who loves dogs, has dogs, or wants a dog……and even those who don’t, but just love a great “feel good” movie! I rate this movie a solid 5+ out of 5 and will probably see it again and again and again!!! And, as for my criteria for a great movie – I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with the characters…..and, the dogs – all the dogs are adorable and lovable, but I was especially fond of the first one – Bailey – cause he reminded me of my Katie, who passed away just about two years ago, and I left feeling good! So, yep – a pretty darned perfect movie, if you ask me!!!
Here is the trailer, for those who may not have seen it……or for those who want to see it over and over, like I do!!! 😀
Photos of the Day – February 1st
Well, hello there, February! It was a lovely day, today…..sunny and slightly warmer……and I treated myself to a pedicure! Ahhh…..ain’t life grand???!!!
Here are the Photos of the Day for February 1, 2017:
# 32 Photo Prompt – A Street:
“Beaver Alley and Main Street, Albion, NY”
# 32 Caught By My Lens:
“Winter Cemetery in Oakfield, NY”
Perfect representation of Feb 1, 2017 – sun brightening up the head stones from the west, snow on the ground, dark clouds in the winter sky to the north!!!
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February 2017’s Photo Prompts:
Photos of the Day – January 31st
Farewell, January……..I had a couple appointments today, so I stopped in to shop at Wegmans and had lunch at the Ho Ho China Buffet. I hit the JACKPOT – my fortune cookie actually had TWO fortunes in it!!! The bottom on in the following photo was the first and absolutely true! The second depends on what they mean by “partner” – if I can apply it to my travel buddy (a.k.a. Partner In Crime), that it is also very true!!! hehehe
Here are the Photos of the Day for January 31, 2017:
# 31 Photo Prompt – Something Colourful:
“Gorgeous Colors!”
# 31 Caught By My Lens:
“Matchy, Matchy!”
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February 2017’s Photo Prompts:
Photos of the Day – January 30th
Here we are at the final two days of January…..and winter showed her face! I woke up to a blanket of snow on the ground! Luckily, it was light and fluffy – easy to shovel – and the sun was super bright this morning, so the one who put it there took most of it off the paved areas by the time I got out there to finish clearing it off the driveway and patios! YAY! And, the rest of it is nice and vivid white and so pretty! The birds were happy I had some treats out for them!
Here are the Photos of the Day for January 30, 2017:
# 30 Photo Prompt – Hello!
“Hello in Six Languages!”
English, French, Hawaiian, Spanish, Italian, and Calculator! hehehe
Yeah, I’m a real nerd!
# 30 Caught By My Lens:
“Better Late Than Never!”
This is the photo I had HOPED to get for yesterday’s “Shadow” photo prompt, but the sun didn’t cooperate!!! So, when the sun was so strong, today, I got it!!! I always enjoy seeing the outline of my house on the snow…..the dormers look like towers coming out of the roof! 😀
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February 2017’s Photo Prompts: Â (no need to reference January’s any more…..tomorrow’s prompt will be “Something Colourful” (last January Prompt) and then on to the February list!
Photos of the Day – January 29th
When I saw today’s photo prompt – Shadow – coming up on the list, I was concerned. We have had overcast and/or cloudy skies for several days and haven’t had a good glimpse of the sun in all its glory in some time! But, this morning the sun was shining bright and bold through the windows at church and I saw a friend who is also doing this challenge got a great shadow shot, so I was encouraged. My house was casting a particularly lovely shadow on the snow early this morning, but it was on my way out for church and I thought I’d get it right after……..unfortunately, the sun played hide and seek the rest of the day, so I had to get really creative for my photo prompt shot!
So, without further ado, here are the Photos of the Day for January 29, 2017:
# 29 Photo Prompt – Shadow:
“It’s a Rabbit!”
See it? LOL
BTW –Â Ever try to hold a flashlight under your armpit, make a peace sign for a rabbit shadow with one hand, and take a photo with your phone with the other hand…..without getting your shadow hand in the photo??? Yep – I’m that talented!!! hehehe
# 29 Caught By My Lens:
“Well, Hello There!”
These sweeties were across the street from my house and looked up at me like “well, you want a photo of us, or what?”!!!
Another Deer Story from today:  I went to a late lunch with my brother and sister-in-law. On our way back to their house, we spotted four deer leaping and frolicking around in the field just down from their house. They were running and criss-crossing each other – just having a grand old time……then, all of a sudden, one crossed in front of another and BAM they collided and the one that did the crossing took a big tumble! We laughed and laughed and then felt guilty — poor thing!!! And, his buddies didn’t even look back to see if he was OK or wait for him to get up……he had to really high tail it to catch up with them before they disappeared into the woods!!! Saddest thing was, I didn’t have my camera with me – UGH!!! So, when these two popped up across the street from my house and posed so pretty for me, I got all excited about the second change for a photo!!! 😀
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January 2017’s Photo Prompts……only two days left on this list:
Photos of the Day – January 28th
Well, this wraps up the last full week of January…..February is just around the corner! I’m looking out my den window at the falling of nice, fluffy looking snow flakes that has been falling lightly most of the day, but is now beginning to stick. I am very happy I can say I’m in for the duration where I can curl up with a blanket, a cup (or two….or more) of hot herbal tea, and my Kindle on the couch and, hopefully, finish the book I’m currently reading…..the third and last in a series by Elin Hilderbrand – one of my favorite writers. A perfect Saturday afternoon and evening!
And, now for the Photos of the Day for January 28, 2017:
# 28 Photo Prompt – Sign:
“Best Sign Ever!”
I saw this sign earlier in the month and made a mental note to go back by there, weather permitting, on the 28th when the photo prompt was “Sign”. Weather permitted, so I took a drive down Route 18 to Kendall to get this photo! It is the type of sign that makes you want to drive by it every day for the reminder!
# 28 Caught By My Lens:
I love old small sheds, bus stop shantys, little buildings…..etc……regardless of their condition – the older, the better, usually! I don’t know why they fascinate me, but they frequently catch my eye as I’m driving. I always wonder what they were originally used for when they were in better shape and had a specific purpose – especially when they are in an odd location that doesn’t seem to be a logical place for something of their diminutive size. What catches my eye most often are bus stop shantys……it brings back memories of the bus stop shanty at the lake where my Grandparents had a summer cottage – it was there for the year round kids who needed a place to get out of the harsh winter weather while waiting for the bus…..in the summer time, all us seasonal kids used it as our clubhouse and had such fun with it! Anyway…..
This one – I assume it is a bus stop shanty because it is at the end of a long driveway by the road……well, this one cracked me up when it caught my eye this morning on the way to the sign!!! I LOVE IT!!! First thing that came to mind when I saw it was how it is typical for someone to be held in a local jail while awaiting a bus to take them to a larger facility or prison…..HAHAHA!!!
“Best Shed Ever!”
And, then there was this other one that also caught my eye……LOVE this whole scene!!!
“On Frozen Pond”
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January 2017’s Photo Prompts:
Sure hope the sun comes out, tomorrow, so I can find a way to do the # 29 photo prompt!!! 🙂
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