Leap Day

Hollywood has given up many classic movies - Gone with the Wind, Titanic, and The Godfather to name a few. It isn't hard to convince my husband to take me to the movies for blockbusters such as these. It is quite another matter when the movie is a chick flick filled with sappy romance. Which is why I found it so surprising that he suggested we see the film Leap Year when it came out in 2010.
An Ireland-born Irishman, my darling husband found the movie hilarious. It seems this was not just a piece of Hollywood magic but based on an actual Irish tradition which allows women to propose marriage to their boyfriends on February 29. Who knew!

So sit back, enjoy the trailer, and then polish up your proposal speech, girls.

Happy Leap Day!

And the Winner Is ...

It's Oscar time again. I know of very few people who will not be sitting on the edge of their seats this Sunday, glued to their TV sets. Some will watch, eager to see the fashions that will grace the red carpet. Others will endure the endless speeches of gratitude, waiting to hear who wins the Best Picture award.

I've seen only two of this year's contenders.

I had to see War Horse because I had enjoyed the Lincoln Center production so much. There is much to be said for movie magic, but I thought that much of the drama of the play was lost in the sweeping cinematography. Not to mention that the actors who portrayed the horses in the stage play stole the show. Still, the movie did have its high points. There was no mistaking the Steven Spielberg touch.

The other movie was The Help. The book was great, the movie did it justice. It was a wonderful commentary on the world that was the South the in 60's. And funny as all you-know-what for those of us who grew up during that time and understood the inside jokes. What more is there to say?

What are your favorites for the top honor this year? Inquiring minds want to know.

Valentine's Day Creed

Comfort each other. Provide a refuge and sanctuary for each other from the chill winds of the world. Your marriage is a hearth, from whence comes the peace, harmony, and warmth of soul and spirit.

Caress as you would be caressed. Warm your loved one's body with your healing touch. Remember that as babies can die with lack of touching, so can marriages wither from lack of closeness.

Be a friend and partner. Friendship can be a peaceful island, separate and apart, in a world of turmoil and strife. Reflect upon the tranquility of the many future years you can share with a true friend, and beware of becoming battling enemies under the same roof.

Be open with each other. Bind not yourselves in the secretness that causes suspicion and doubt. Trust and reveal yourselves to each other, even as the budding rose opens to reveal its fragrance and beauty.

Listen to each other. Hear not only words, but also the non-language of tone, mood, and expression. Learn to listen to understand rather than listening to argue.

Respect each other's rights. Remember that each is a person of flesh and blood, entitled to his or her own choices and mistakes. Each owns himself, and has the right to equality.

Allow the other to be an individual Seek not to create for each other a new mold that can only fit with much discomfort and pain. Accept the other as they are, as you would have yourself accepted.

Give each other approval. Remember criticism divides, while compliments encourage confidence in the other. Hasten not to point out the other's mistakes, for each will soon discover his own.

Cherish your union. Let no one come between your togetherness, not child, not friend, nor possessions. Yet maintain enough separateness to allow each other his or her own uniqueness.

Love one another. Love is your river of life, your eternal source of recreating yourselves. Above all else, love one another.