Category Archives: Movies

MY DAY: Friday Funday surpassed all my expectations!

Posted on July 20, 2018 by

It was a damned good day, to say the least. Due to a rough night with little sleep and rain beginning by 6:50 AM, I almost elected to remain home.  I am so glad I went forward with my spontaneous … Continue reading →

Posted in Dayton, Entertainment, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Olivia de Havilland

Posted on July 2, 2018 by

Happy birthday to the legendary actress, Miss Olivia de Havilland who turned 102 years old today. Ms. de Havilland is the last surviving cast member of GONE WITH THE WIND in which she portrayed Melanie Hamilton Wilkes. This lovely woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Civil War, Entertainment, Movies, Performing, Theatre, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: A visit to Salzburg

Posted on February 17, 2018 by

Friday night I got to see one of my favorite musicals on stage at The Schuster Center, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This is one of those musicals that can either too dramatic that it feels like painful constipation or too … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Broadway, Darin's Career, Dayton, Entertainment, Movies, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Playwrighting, Theatre, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: Oscar Nominated Shorts

Posted on February 10, 2018 by

This afternoon, Nicole and Ian Melin and I watched the Oscar-nominated live action and short animated features. What a great collection of movies. The 2018 nominees for Best Short Live Action Film: DeKALB ELEMENTARY MY NEPHEW EMMET THE SILENT CHILD … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Entertainment, Humor, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: THE POST

Posted on January 12, 2018 by

Thursday night, Mark Monroe and I went to The Greene to watch the newly released, THE POST, a political drama set in the early 1970s starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Documentaries, Gerald Ford, Movies, Politics, Richard Nixon, Uncategorized, Vietnam War, White House | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MIAGD: Atta boy, Clarence….

Posted on September 26, 2017 by

MIAGD: Make it a great day I love windchimes. Five windchimes surround my deck so I can hear them when I am outside, inside my study which looks out to my deck, and up in my bedroom which looks over … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Inspiration, Movies | Leave a comment

LINCOLN: my reaction

Posted on November 17, 2012 by

I felt like a kid, tonight.  In fact, it felt like I had the excitement of all my birthdays and Christmases all combined. Quintin and I met Brian Pollock at The Greene to watch the movie I’ve waited several years … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Acting, Actors, Civil War, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Movies, Playwright, Politics, Television, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | 1 Comment

Mock trial finds Mary Todd Lincoln was not insane

Posted on October 2, 2012 by

Mock trial finds Mary Todd Lincoln was not insane Re-enactment at presidential museum finds former first lady wrongfully committed By Jason Nevel Posted Oct 01, 2012 @ 10:44 PM SPRINGFIELD — Jurors in 1875 made the wrong choice in committing … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, First Ladies, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Movies, U.S. History, White House | 1 Comment

End of the week…

Posted on March 16, 2012 by

Last night, Quintin and I enjoyed a late dinner at The Noodle Company located in The Greene.  Afterwards, we grabbed some videos since he did not have to be at school Friday until 11:30am due to the on-going OGT (Ohio … Continue reading →

Posted in Every day life, Movies, Private Students, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

A beautiful February day…

Posted on February 26, 2012 by

Navi, Chief and Flyer were not about to rouse themselves at 5:00am when The Haasienda began stirring as Quintin showered, and readied himself for a 6:00am rehearsal prior to the MEPA/Bellbrook HS competition. After Quintin left, Mother and I talked … Continue reading →

Posted in Disney, Entertainment, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Pets, Indiana, Movies, Music - Marching Band, Television, The Haasienda, Winter Percussion - MEPA, Winter Percussion - WGI, Winter Percussion Ensemble | Leave a comment

…Frost/Nixon…

Posted on February 24, 2012 by

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” – Richard Nixon This morning, while relaxing, I watched the movie, FROST/NIXON (2008), starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, and directed by Ron Howard.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Indiana, Movies, Politics, Richard Nixon, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

…Television Families…

Posted on December 2, 2011 by

This morning I happened to view Matt Lauer’s TODAY SHOW interview/reunion with the actors portraying the family from THE WALTONS.  It was refreshing and uplifting to see these familiar, albeit, older faces.  I found myself smiling throughout the interview as … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogroll, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, History Channel, Movies, PBS, Television, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…Good Morning, Vietnam: 24 years later…

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

Growing up in the late 1960’s, I was surrounded with many familiar words, or terms… DMZ (demilitarized zone) KIA MIA Viet Cong Cambodia POW Tet Offensive Ho Chi Minh Trail On the evening news there were television images of helicopters … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Kennedy Family, Movies, Richard Nixon, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, White House, World History | Leave a comment

'1776' at Wilmington

Posted on July 17, 2011 by

‘1776’ – John Adams: “One useless man is called a disgrace; two are called a law firm; and three or more become a Congress.” This afternoon, my 16 year old son, Quintin, and I drove 35 miles to Wilmington, Ohio … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Broadway, Colonial America, Entertainment, Founding Fathers, George Washington, John Adams, Movies, Musical Theatre, Netflix, Performing, Playwrighting, The History Channel, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A wonderful adventure…

Posted on June 24, 2011 by

What an incredible evening! Dinner at UNO’s with Quintin was loaded with good humor, and great food.  I love eating at UNO’s prior to a show at The Victoria Theatre, or The Schuster Center, because there is that familiar electricity … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Broadway, Disney, Entertainment, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, Performing, Teaching, Theatre, Wright Brothers | 2 Comments

Does it really matter?

Posted on July 10, 2010 by

This has been an amusing several days for news. Lindsay Lohan is sentenced to jail and rehab… Mel Gibson has been acting up, again… Touch Down Jesus will be rebuilt – full body from Indiana limestone… The Barefoot Bandit has … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Biblical History, Blogroll, Broadway, Christianity, Darin's Career, Disney, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Great Britain, Humor, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Performing, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Royal Family, The Haasienda, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

Just a Thursday…

Posted on July 8, 2010 by

This morning had me hopping – doctor appointments, pick up prescriptions, and rush back home to teach a 10:30am lesson! Began the day with tons of energy, and by Noon, I was alternating between reading and napping. The heat, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Darin's Career, Every day life, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, PBS, Private Students, Richard Nixon, Teaching, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A relaxing holiday…

Posted on July 5, 2010 by

It is Monday, 1:00pm. The end of the restful, and enjoyable holiday weekend is creeping upon us.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were the most perfect days we’ve had in weeks. Saturday was a bit steamy, but not too hateful. Sunday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, Founding Fathers, Friends, Harry Truman, History Channel, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

We… Hold… These… Truths…

Posted on July 3, 2010 by

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Barak Obama, Broadway, Carillon Park, Christianity, Colonial America, Composing, Cox Arboretum, Darin's Career, Dayton, Deeds Point, Disney, Documentaries, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, History Channel, Humor, Indiana, Inspiration, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Museum of the US Air Force, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, PBS, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Performing, Playwright, Playwrighting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Richard Nixon, School, Single Parent, Smithsonian Institute, Spirituality, Teaching, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, The Secret, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House, Woodland Cemetery, World History | Leave a comment

WE THE PEOPLE – Vote for Ryan Vallo

Posted on July 3, 2010 by

I discovered this incredible video by one of Dayton’s own young celebrities – Ryan Vallo. I am adding Ryan’s text for those who may not have Facebook accounts. “It’s 2010 and change is EVERYWHERE: our government, our environment, our economy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, History Channel, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Spirituality, Television, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, World History | Leave a comment

TOY STORY 3

Posted on June 26, 2010 by

As TOY STORY 3 neared its premiere, I chuckled at the Facebook group, started by older teens, “get out of my way little kids… I’ve waited 11 years to see this movie.” The first two movies were incredible, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ball State University, Blogroll, Disney, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Movies, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010)

Posted on June 18, 2010 by

Jose and I just returned from seeing CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010). A very good movie, indeed. I can remember seeing the original in 1981 when I was a sophomore in high school. I recall very little of that movie, … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Clary Family, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Kitty Hawk, Movies, Parenting, Performing, The Haasienda, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

A Good Day…

Posted on June 14, 2010 by

Today was the start of my summer teaching schedule. It had been delayed a week since a number of schools were not yet dismissed for the summer. The morning began with the Bane children – Ellie and Jacob – who … Continue reading →

Posted in Documentaries, History Channel, Movies, PBS, Private Students, Teaching, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Burns, Allen, Holmes, DeMille, Kellogg, Hilton & O'Neill @ The Haasienda

Posted on June 6, 2010 by

There is some tennis event on NBC. The skies above the Miami Valley have resembled a tennis match all morning… for a few minutes the sun shines, and shortly, the dark clouds hover… back and forth. The storms for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Kennedy Family, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, Playwright, Private Students, Theatre, U.S. Presidents, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

John Adams

Posted on May 29, 2010 by

The day seemed to drag… I felt drained, and exhausted for no apparent reason. I accomplished little until it was time to teach – and that perked me up, greatly. Jackson Lockhart came to pick up Sophie from her lesson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, First Ladies, John Adams, Movies, Musical Theatre, Private Students, Teaching, Theatre: College, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment