Saturday, December 17, 2011

Hey - It's Almost Christmas

Boy, life sure passes fast when you don't write from October to December.  I just took a short hiatus into reality, which wasn't much fun....but I'm back for today, at least. 

I'd love to write regularly, but since I work full time and feel as if it sucks all the energy out of me, by the time I get home, there's nothing left to blog with.

I'm now off for 2 weeks for Christmas Break - YAY!!!  I've got the Christmas Tree up (it's smaller this year - about 4 feet high and much easier to decorate, not to mention much cheaper), presents are wrapped (I've got to do more tomorrow).....and I'm ready to make Chex Mix and bake fudge and cookies next week. 

Meanwhile, it's Saturday night and I'm on vacation.  Hubby and I watched one of the cutest movies I've ever seen - Mr. Popper's Penguins.  I'm a penguin lover;  well, I'm an animal lover and penguins are amongst the most adorable animals ever created, to me.

I have as natural as possible a back yard in a suburban area for the critters that may drop by, and I have a soft spot for all birds (even rock doves, a.k.a. pigeons), squirrels, possums - whatever stops by.  To me, the ultimate creature as far as cuteness - I hate to use that word, but it's the only one that fits - is penguins.

A few years ago, my husband treated me to a visit to SeaWorld in Orlando, with a special behind the scenes look at the penguins.  I got to pet one - I could have stayed there all day.  They are just......adorable - I don't know how else to put it. 

Anyway - the movie, "Mr. Popper's Penguins" is totally unrealistic and is a lovely story with great real and animated penguin segments - it wins my award for "Best Nice Story/Comforting/Sweet/Funny Movie". 

Have I mentioned I love penguins?  I saw a video once of a real penguin somewhere whose owner would put a backpack on him every morning and he would walk to the local fish mongers.  The fish store owner would give him some raw fish snacks and also pack up a nice big fish in the backpack for the penguin to take home.  He lived in his own little shack full of ice.....

To be honest - in reality, I don't think any animals should be kept in captivity.  I have a Cockatoo that I wish I could bring to Australia, his native country, so he could fly free and be what he is supposed to be.....

But for total escapism, an unrealistic (at least as far as the penguins - the family story is altogether possible), heart warming story - Mr. Popper's Penguins is absolutely wonderful.

2 comments:

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Christopher became obsessed with penguins after reading that book around age eight. I've been wondering if the movie is good!

When we visited the Chicago aquarium (about ten years ago already, time flies!!!), we had to be certain to spend time in the penguin exhibit and I purchased a stuffed penguin there for a Christmas gift.

For years he had a penguin peeping out of his Christmas stocking. All of his penguins are now in one box on the top shelf of my closet. I wonder if his fiance would want them? :)

Good to "see" you again.

Susan Humeston said...

Good to "see" you, too! I faithfully read your blog every day, and I sympathize with your empty nest/the kids are grown or far away syndrome. Also the idea that the other family members that you have loved have passed on.....although my father is still "here", he really isn't. It isn't the man I remember. I am very thankful, however, for the fact that he is pain-free, cheerful even, and he interacts with both the nurses and the other residents at the "home". I think my mother needs more sympathy, a.k.a., tlc, than my father because she is completely coherent and responsible for all the financial decisions. She visits him every day, and it has made her feel - as she says, "like I've aged 10 years in the last 5 months", since he has been full time in the "home".

I didn't mean to go on about my mom and dad - but to say how much I totally LOVE your blog. You are a beacon of light to me and there will be a crown in heaven (among many, no doubt) for the comfort you have given to many just like me.