(not necessarily in that order)
We watched “A Man Called Otto” tonight and enjoyed it very much.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with Tom Hanks. We also really enjoyed the supporting cast, especially “Marisol” (played by Mariana Treviño) and an oh-so-elegant kitty.
The movie made us think, as well as evoking a wide range of emotions. There was sadness, for sure, but it was ultimately life-affirming.
One review referred to it as a “tender message of hopefulness and spiritual renewal” and I have to agree.
This was a down-the-rabbit-hole kind of night which started when I read an announcement that one of our friends got a new job working for Born Free USA.
Of course, the song “Born Free” immediately started playing in my mind. It’s the theme song for the movie “Born Free“, which came out when I was around ten years old. I had to immediately research whether there was a connection with Born Free USA, and there was!
Then I had to listen to more songs by Matt Monro, the English singer who performed the movie theme song — what a voice!
Then I had to read more about Joy and George Adamson, the real-life couple who raised Elsa, an orphaned lion cub, and then had to train her to survive in the wild in order to avoid committing her to a zoo.
Then I forced myself to stop so I could write about it all in this blog post. 😅
SONG LYRICS
Born free
As free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart
Live free
And beauty surrounds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star
Stay free
Where no walls divide you
You’re free as a roaring tide so there’s no need to hide
Born free
And life is worth living
But only worth living
‘Cause you’re born free
[Songwriter: John Barry]
Yep, this is pretty much where my mind is at tonight.
It’s been the kind of week that leaves one’s brain feeling rather fried.
Time for a movie!
Yep, I’ve reached the point at the end of a long and intense week, where all I want to think about is what movie to watch tonight!
Received some extremely helpful counseling from a friend this afternoon.
She gave us an assignment: to spend the rest of the day doing things together as a couple. NO working!
We’ve already enjoyed some good chats and a sunny stroll. Now we’re getting ready to relax with a movie.
Assignment completed!
Our Christmas Day was just what the doctor ordered.
A day at home — just the two of us — with a few calls to family and friends interspersed throughout.
We finished opening and reading all our beautiful Christmas cards.
We ate delicious treats sent by friends from Switzerland (yum!).
And we listened to Christmas music and watched another Christmas movie.
All in all, a lovely day.
I attended as much as I could of the Christmas 8-hour meditation (which was extremely still and deep and beautiful).
I got the absolute last couple of items needed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.
I created a Christmas greeting card for our friends in community (which will be replicated for social media as well).
We relaxed with a new Christmas movie, which we both found to be fun and sweetly uplifting.
Now, just two more singing commitments tomorrow and then we’re DONE for this year!
Snow is forecast starting Sunday, which is just fine with us, because we have no intention of going anywhere.