A Movie Suggestion, A True Story: Boomerang! (1947)

A movie worth watching...A true story.

Boomerang!  (1947)

I recently saw this movie on regular antenna television (we cut the cable and are so happy with regular television).  I can tape the movies on the Movies! channel or any regular channels with my Channel Master and it's so great to fast forward the commercials and watch an old movie at our leisure, hubs and I in the evening after a nice supper. (No, I'm not being paid to advertise!) lol  But I would like to let folks know there is a way to tape programs on regular antenna television which to me is very adequate for our needs. No, there are no monthly fees, the Channel Master is just a little device.  We were amazed at how many very nice stations are on free antenna television!



I really enjoy movies with Dana Andrews and Karl Malden in them, usually that's a good sign of an enjoyable, quality movie.  Dana Andrews is from our neck of the woods and a son of a pastor.  He is also in one of my very favorite movies, Best Years of Our Lives, considered one of the most lifelike movies of our veterans from WWII.

Here is the trailer I found on youtube of Boomerang!, I have mixed emotions on the trailer, it doesn't seem to do the movie justice.  Justice.  The movie, Boomerang! is about justice and a good warning to be careful and also brave, always checking the sources of what we hear and think we see.   My dad always said:  "Believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see."  It may mean that we stand alone.

 


In the movie you will see the underhanded politicking that occurs in many situations from many different angles!  Sadly, even in churches and homeschool groups too.   I'm sure you have seen the same as well, let it be a lesson for us to be that one to question and stand for what is right for the Audience of One.  There are far too many people who will stand back quietly as someone is picked apart and their reputation is ruined to say the least or I've also seen many being left out because of sectarian spirits operating.  This ought not be in Christian circles, we should be the friendliest, wisest and sweetest people around!



An important fact from the movie above:  Cummings (named "Henry Harvey" in the film) later became Attorney General of the United States.



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What have you been up to lately?

Here is a photo of a Little Dress for Africa I have started, I have four all-cotton tshirts are ladies tshirts that our daughter, Michelle picked up from Dollar Tree!.  I took a seam down the middle of both the front and back to make it a youth size.  This dress will be for an older youth.  I will also be making some little shorts for little boys as I am able.  For me?  I'm making some wonderful autumn print skirts and checking my cotton long sleeve shirts to make sure I am set for fall....Oh yes, Fall how I love thee...

 

 My grocery store in smalltown, just love this store...I try to spy out older folks, especially those older war vets.  I just love giving them some attention and thanks...They are adorable and wonderful treasures.  We can be an angel to them and others...  I enjoy wearing whimsical novelty cotton skirts, they are a great conversation starter.  Some people drive art cars?   I wear art skirts!   (Another blog!)

I'll close with s photo of one of our precious pets we have lost in the past two years, she was such a sweet, loyal little doggy...She was just precious....

...Esther, our little sweetheart.   We miss you Esther.

 

I hope everyone is having a nice week, a thankful week, even though we may go through ups and downs, our Father, God will carry us.  May we feel His gentle hands, may we be those gentle hands to others, in word and deed.  Give people a loving smile that they can't resist!  Let's be a friend to people.  

People may not remember what we said, but they will remember how they were made to feel.

Have a sweet day, Loves,    ~Amelia

The Sweetest Little Video I Saw Today...A Glimpse of My Morning Walk. Stardust Serenade.

I came across this precious video today on the youtube channel as it played on my Channel Master.  Some days I put a vintage video on and my Channel master plays a string of wonderful vintage films.  When I heard this one, my ears perked up, I heard the beautiful singing and the sweet little southern accents in the children.  The little voices reminded me of some of the sweeter little friends I had when I was a little girl in early elementary school. 

The spirit of the little video brought tears to my eyes, after all the talk of Thanksgiving food, it moves into Thanksgiving in life.

If you are anything like me, wired in any of the same way I am, I do think you will love this.  Enjoy.





One of the most peaceful places in the world is outside in the country where we live.   I feel so close to God when I'm outside in His creation.

I hope you enjoy the little glimpse of my morning walk:










Just some sweetness for your evening.

Closing with one of my all time favorites, Stardust Serenade by Nat King Cole.  Our daughters and I used to listen to the cd, Love is the Thing and More by Nat King Cole all the way to our piano lessons in smalltown all the way from the suburbs where we had moved.  I loved our piano teacher, Mrs. Blount.  She's with God now, so many of the oldtime friends I had are gone now.

They still live in my heart, the wisdom they shared and the memories I hold.  Yesterday was my Italian grandma's birthday, I miss my sweet Italian grandparents...Oh what we had when we would visit their sweet home...I pray the same spirit will be in our home now, nothing fancy, just sweet family, good eats and laughter.



Love to All,     ~Amelia in the Forest

Little Elliott Curtis has Arrived! A SewSimple Skirt Project Finished A8682. Being a MiMi is a Beautimous Thing.

Nothing like a sweet little baby, a little angel to hold...


Our newest little angel grand-baby, our second grand-baby...Introducing Elliott Curtis!   He is a darling little baby and has many different expressions that never cease to amaze!  We are thanking God for little Elliott.  Many of you may remember when Marianna and James were married a couple of years ago and my how time flies!  


What a sweetheart!


It's been so very busy here, we went out of town for our 39th wedding anniversary, so I should have some neat shots of that soon.  If you've read here long, you know I love the Mississippi river and the river boats.  My Italian grandma's family had an ice cream shop across from the river, across from Jax Brewery, yes, New Orleans is in my blood.  We visited the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and that was a treat, I've always wanted to go to that museum.  The Pacific War Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas is wonderful as well, and I want to go back to that one to revisit too, it is also excellent. Very much so.



My latest sewing project:



You have to love those 97 cent patterns at Walmart!   Simplicity A8682.   This was a winner.  I added around an inch and a quarter to the hem and I made it fit into just three yards.  Mine hits right above my ankle bone and that is just perfect for me.  I think this is a real cutie-pie wrap skirt, a very cheerful skirt, feminine and fun to wear!  ...And it has two pockets!  I've had this cotton fabric in my stash and didn't know what to do with it, it was a bit on the stiff side so it makes a great skirt. I can see black, bright yellow etc. with this skirt.  Sometimes when I see this type of print and think of black and that bright yellow, I think of Mary Tyler Moore, those years.

I'm telling ya, when I go to the sewing department at Walmart, I feel just like a little girl again in the toy department!  Haha!



I love what Tasha Tudor said on skirts and dresses:  

From page 63 from the book, The Private World of Tasha Tudor by Tasha Tudor and Richard Brown.  This book is great fun to read and look at!  Lot's of eye candy and just neat to read...A nice get-away book.  It goes through the four seasons.  Just great stuff.  Her gardens, her corgis...The way she brought her children up with a trunk of clothes to perform in.  (I had that trunk of clothes too and I fully intend on having one here at Mi-Mi's house for our grandsons and future granddaughters as well!  So.  Fun.   Yep, I'm going to be making nature scrap books and all kinds of stuff with those kids.  Fun times!



Excerpt:  "Why do women want to dress like men when they're fortunate enough to be women?  Why lose our femininity, which is one of our greatest charms?  We get much more accomplished by being charming than we would by flaunting around in pants and smoking.  I'm very fond of men.  I think they're wonderful creatures.  I love them dearly.  But I don't want to look like one.  
    When women gave up their long skirts, they made a grave error.  Things half seen are so much more mysterious and delightful.  Remember the term 'a neatly turned ankle'?   Think of the thrill that gentlemen used to get if they caught even a glimpse of one.  Now women go around in their union suits.  And what a multitude of sins you could cover up with a long skirt if you had piano legs."


That just tickled me to no end and I tend to agree with Ms. Tudor.  I enjoy my capris and even loose fitting yoga pants and a Mary Tyler Moore-style corduroy pantsuit at times in the winter, but nothing like a feminine full skirt, one that doesn't have to be yanked on, that glides over the body beautifully.  When we wear those skirts we feel special too.  I usually wear one when going to the grocery or out to eat, or at home even, it just speaks something good I think.  I love cotton skirts and dresses!



Well, I'll be seein' ya!



Signing off from the Forest Cathedral...We'll catch up soon.  
I'll be seeing you...

Just wanted to touch bases...Oh so much going on...



They had an example of sheet music of this song at The National WWII Museum, many of these songs were written for men and women as the men went off to war.  

Blessings to All,    ~Amelia

Asher Samuel, our first grandbaby with me holding him in my element, the screen porch here in the Forest. Ponytail MiMi having fun, enjoying the blessing of being a MiMi!

I think Asher and Elliott will have a grand time playing together soon!

Love comes while we rest against
our Father's chest.
Joy comes when we catch the
rhythms of His heart.
Peace comes when we live
in harmony with those rhythms.     ~Ken Gire

A Bit of a Remembrance, A Re-Post: Everytime I See Your Face...Photograph

This time of year is a busy one and has become one of remembrance, so I thought I would prayerfully put a re-post up of last year, for I'm feeling a little bit of the same way this year.  Life can be much like post war times after WWII, the people then would always remember the sentimental later on down the line and thus those old movie greats in the 40s.  It's been two years since my dad left this green earth and it was not in any way I would have dreamed of, to say it was a time of uncertainty, distress and gross injustice is an understatement.  One of these days I will write the specifics.  One of these days...The story is an almost unbelievable one, a tragic one, a story of a failed system and corruption, a story of a divided heart and one that I would have never dreamed possible.  The following re-post will hopefully be an encouragement to those who have gone through troubles of this magnitude.  There is hope, God will help you cope.

A book I highly recommend is:  To Live Again  by Catherine Marshall wife of the late great Chaplain of the United States Senate, Peter Marshall.  Many of you know that Peter Marshall passed away in his younger years at the age of 47 back in 1949 leaving Catherine with a young son. 


My Re-post Click Here:
Everytime I See Your Face...Photograph



 




The best reason to pray is that God is really there.  In praying, our unbelief  gradually starts to melt.  God moves smack into the middle of even an ordinary day...Prayer is a matter of keeping at it...Thunderclaps and lightning flashes are very unlikely.  It is well to start small and quietly.          ~Emilie Griffin






Take care now and have a sweet week, Loves,    ~Amelia

Memorial Day. One of my Favorites: 'The Best Years of Our Lives' (1944) And a Few More Recommendations

'The Best Years of Our Lives"    (1944)  



I've been watching this movie quite a bit over the past two weeks and I just love it...  My dad will be gone in June two years, and this movie makes me feel close to him.  

It's been said by someone once that this movie is the closest thing to reality of what our soldiers went through.

In the above scene, the soldier coming home reminds me of one of the wonderful nursing home friends I have had.  They called him 'Sy', a nickname, a shortened version of that great polish last name of his.  Sy was in a wheelchair and still had a most handsome face to behold, much like an older version of the actor, Robert Hutton who took Jimmy Stewart's place during WWII.   Sy was missing part of his lower leg, he told me of being in the great cathedral in France with other soldiers where they would sleep and take refuge before liberating the camps.  He came home to oldtown on a  bus, there were no phones, he walked home and knocked at the door of his sweet home with his bag over his shoulder.  His family came to the door...and there was Sy. Can you imagine?

The neighborhood he came home to in 'oldtown' is right around my husband's office.  The area just screams of an older and more gentle time...   The 30s and 40s...

With Memorial Day soon, I thought I must put this up.  Many think it's time to party-on but really it's time to think about those great soldiers and the sacrifices they gave for us and our freedom.   Of course I try to have a healthy attitude on it all but let's never, never forget what our soldiers have done for us as I'm sure you would agree.

Our oldest daughter, Lea was blessed to be able to visit Pearl Harbor and assist with those great men who did survive Pearl Harbor.  This took place at the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor a couple of Decembers ago.  She still speaks with one, Uncle Bob over the phone. 


 I miss my Dad...







There are more then several other old movie favorites I would also like to recommend, maybe I'll add to this list as I think of more:

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo   (1944)    A true story.

Destination Tokyo    (1943)     A true story.   The poignant  scene of the appendix operation down below in the submarine did happen!  Roberto Hutton playing the part of this precious young man being operated on was Jimmy Stewart's fill-in during WWII.   Jimmy Stewart was away at war.

The Story of G.I. Joe    (1945)   A true story.  

Sergeant York   (1941)     A true story.   The actress, Joan Leslie, was chosen to play Sergeant York's wife, Gracie because Sergeant York wanted a wholesome actress, one who did not curse, drink or smoke and there you have lovely Joan Leslie. 







Scene from The Best Years of Our Lives I took a pic of the other day...The fellas are flying home together discussing what it will be like when they arrive home...

I love the part where Homer says with a lift of the chin and a grin in the movie:

I'm alright...
 

Sometimes things happen, perhaps we get our feelings hurt, and I'll share with my husband.  I'll look at my husband and smile and then say.... I'm alright...Just like Homer said.  




I loved this plaque that I saw at Hobby Lobby yesterday...

Amen.


May we remember those who bravely fought for and served this country.  Greatness.

If we want things to be like they were as far as a moral attitude and love for country and healthy fear of God, let it begin with us.  Right?

Let's not be afraid to set our standards for a sweet home high, saturated with love, soaked in wisdom and steeped in acceptance of those around us.  People may not remember what we say, but they will, remember how they are made to feel.  Yep, you better believe it right?   : )  We might just be the only Jesus others see and feel. 

Have a nice day and week, Loves,   May we lift our great country up in prayers.    ~Amelia

A Good Sunday, A Ponytail and a Maxi. Simplicity 4881. Thoughts and More Things I Like-Love!

A Day Trip to Galveston...Do you know that Galveston was the First Wall Street until The Great Storm of 1900?  My Grandma and Grandpa Oddo spent their honeymoon at the Galvez Hotel still in operation there.  This pic is taken on the historical Strand.

I'm wearing one of my favorite things:  A Maxi skirt!  A cotton maxi!   Nothing like them in warm weather!   I wear a culotte style slip underneath for perfect touristing or shopping etc.







This historical Island city has beautiful historical things to see,the craftsmanship of the buildings, the iron work and statuary...Gorgeous.  This is just barely a teensy sampling.

  This was in the old ice cream parlour, I notice the floors there and they are so very much like the simple wood floors in my Grandma and Grandpa Oddo's simple home.   There was lots of good eats and laughter in that home...

Their life was simple and I often think of my Italian grandparents and even my parents in their small 30s home where I grew up.  In this day and age where people are in so much debt, they both have to work, leave the home they are in debt for in a car they are in debt for to a job they are in bondage to, to pay for the stuff, not enjoying the home they are in debt for nor their precious children.  I don't think that is life.  The culture has been duped.  It's so sad to me..Often some young people when first married think they have to have a home like a retired oil executive!  Why are the churches not teaching on this!?  Yes, churches!  Donna Reed is alive and well and there would be more if there would be some simple teaching and encouragement on this!   When we first got married we lived in a little condo with outdated everything!  Haha!  And no money to update it either!  But I was able to be there with my baby!  Priceless!  : )

 


This used to be the family home people saved up for to raise children.  This was considered most likely even above average.  (Photo by Robert Stock).   Anyone seen the old vintage Donna Reed show?  In the television episodes she was married to a pediatrician who practices out of their home, they had two teenage children.  The camera panned the outside of the home in one of the episodes the other day.  Their home was a rather modest white framed wood, two story, maybe a story and a half with dormer windows.  Not at all what one would think of as an executive home now-a-days.

I didn't intend on writing that but perhaps it will bless or encourage someone, perhaps someone who is seeking and praying on direction in the area of home and such. 

EDIT 5.19  4:46P.M.  When my daughter, Michelle and her husband, Josh went to a premarital class at a large church that would be considered biblical, the young teacher said concerning two income families as he thought it the norm...Let's face it...There is no Ozzy and Harriet any longer.  It was very disappointing for Michelle and Josh to hear a teacher in a church say such a thing since Michelle would be staying home as a homemaker. Let's be careful about the plum line we present, and be very careful as to what is norm, what is discouraged and what is encouraged. With God all things are possible. : )




  Photo by Robert Stock
My Maxi:

Cotton Nautical Fabric from good ol' smalltown Walmart.  Woo hoo Walmart for placing fabrics and patterns back into stores!

I buy many themes of fabrics, dogs smiling, Christmas dogs, Christmas poodles, Kitty-Cat faces in huge pastel polka-dots on black, WWII maps, and many more novelties!   ...And those maxi skirts will be another blog!  lol



Pattern:  Oop Simplicity 4881, I add around 8 inches to make it a  maxi.  I make my own tie belts out of extra fabric.  If you want a neat look, you can wear the maxi with the seam going down front!  It gives a neat illusion.  An illusion of what?  I don't know...Just neat and adds interest in some patterns.



While we were in Galveston on the Strand, we sat a spell and enjoyed the heartfelt street preaching of this precious young man:



We crossed the street to talk with him, and he was truly precious.  People were just passing him by etc.   We were so blessed by this young man.   Jem had said, Let's go talk to him, if it were Jesus there we would. 

Here are a couple of clips I caught on video, in the first clip there is an older woman sitting next to me on the park bench speaking, it's not me.
.



A glimpse into his testimony here in part II...





In other news our first little grandbaby, Asher Samuel was dedicated at a sweet church dedication service on Mother's Day.  Of course Baby Asher has always been dedicated to God from the beginning and in daily prayers.  We don't think official Baby Dedication ceremonies are necessary but very sweet and nice if parents would like to participate.  This church is very accepting of new people, and welcomes all.  Michelle is attending their ladies Bible study with little baby Asher, all children are welcome to the Ladies Bible Study and Michelle said how sweet it is to have mommies with their babies playing around their feet.  How precious!  It's truly amazing how autonomous each church is.  They can even be of the same Christian denomination and yet be very different. The pastor at this church found out that the certificate and little Bible presented had Asher's middle name printed incorrectly.  He told Michelle that if he had to drive the new corrected certificate and Bible to Michelle and Josh's home he would!  Wow.  And this is a larger church as well. What a difference.


I kind of like what Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer prize winning novel, 'To Kill a Mockingbird" said concerning various life situations:






Josh, Michelle and Baby Asher Samuel after baby dedication.




I just loved this little photo of Asher taken a few weeks ago, so sweet I think.   He truly is a happy baby.



Well, that's the latest in a quick little update here.  

As you can see, we enjoy day trips. This shot was taken in a little town, and it was a windy day, thus a scarf draped around my neck was thrown over my head 50s style.  I kind of like that look, so feminine don't you think?




Music that ministers to me:

Kristene DiMarco  - It is Well




Fernando Ortego - Chimayo







Last Evening:



The lighting was beautiful, even in the back, there had been a glow, it was as if I stepped into another time...I could feel God's Presence and wonder somehow if my dad's presence wasn't with me somehow...Another time in my life...I froze in the lighting...I felt as if I were to blink I would miss it...



Liesl too was enjoying this most beautifully ethereal evening...




Don't ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life---the beauty of a day...the smile of a friend...the serenity of a quiet moment alone.  For it is often life's smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference.                                              (Unknown)

Take care, Loves,   ~Amelia in the Forest

'In His Steps' Vintage Copy. Do we Know Him or Know *About* Him?

A visitor disturbs their complacency...



Vintage copy of 'In His Steps'


Our family owned this copy when our girls were little, and we loved this movie.  I humbly recommend.  It's an older movie, probably done in the 50s or 60s but very valuable in it's timeless lessons.



A quote from this old movie, but still relevant for today:

The church is not this building or any other building it's people.  God's people...


This copy is the only one I could find on youtube, sorry about the watermark across the front.  It's still very watchable!    All parts are available so it may be watched in entirety.  



A photo of Jem and our little Asher Samuel.  I thought this was so precious.  

 

The discovery of God lies in the daily and the ordinary, not in the spectacular and heroic .  If we cannot find God in the routines of home and shop, then we will not find Him at all.
 ~Richard J. Foster




Good Friday

I think of my Grandma and Grandpa Oddo and the simple sweet family times we had in their simple home.  I remember as my Grandma and I stuffed Italian artichokes together one Good Friday, the sky grew dark.  I made a comment about it and Grandma said..."It gets dark and stormy like this every year on Good Friday".  And ya know?  She was pretty much right on that.  We think of Jesus and His suffering on the Cross. 

May We be Easter All the Time

May we be a sweet Light.  May we not be one of the complacent ones who lives for a country club man-made church membership.   I ponder what Jesus must think at times...  If we are greeters at church shouldn't we be greeters elsewhere?  If we are Christians shouldn't we be known by our Love for others at all times?   

I'm not anti-church, but I will say that I am very surprised that there are so many people who seem to equate their faith with going to church and church membership only.  It's as if Church is not their very lives or beings.   I hope we can live the Life fully!   

I can say I know the president, but if I do not walk with him and talk with Him and have that very personal relationship with him?  I really don't know him.  I just know about him.

That's the difference.


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My dad used to say...

People may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them to feel...


Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.  And the best of the three is love. 

1 Corinthians 13:13 



The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no partiality and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

~James 3:17-18



I hope you all are doing well as we ponder this Easter week.  Last week I learned to my horror that a friend was lost in a horrible car accident.  I will say this gal knew Christ and went into the presence of God.  Her daughter said...Mom only wanted others to know Jesus.     ~Amelia in the Forest

There is a silence into which the world cannot intrude.  There is a peace from God you carry in your heart and cannot lose.